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Report of the Evaluation of the use of resources in the national population-based cancer screening programme and associated services

The Health Information and Quality Authority has published the Report of the Evaluation of the use of resources in the national population-based cancer screening programme and associated services.

The evaluation report found that the introduction of a colorectal cancer screening programme in Ireland is possible through a number of initiatives, efficiency measures and additional resources. When fully implemented, a screening programme is anticipated to save approximately 300 lives per year in Ireland.

Following the publication by the Authority on 17 June 2009 of a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of a population-based colorectal cancer screening programme in Ireland, which recommended the introduction of a population-based screening programme, this evaluation examined the feasibility of introducing a such a programme in Ireland within existing resources.

The drive during the evaluation has been to objectively and realistically identify potential cost savings and efficiencies in order to deliver better health outcomes for our population. It identified and proposed a number of initiatives, including:

• a change in the costs associated with professional services within the existing national population-based cancer screening programmes
• using the existing administrative resources within the National Cancer Screening Service
• the training of additional clinical staff
• optimising the use of existing resources
• extending the working days for services and
• consideration of mechanisms to include private health insurance funding.

The evaluation report found that existing administrative resources within the National Cancer Screening Services should be utilised in the roll out of a colorectal cancer screening programme. The Authority recommends that the unit costs of CervicalCheck should be reviewed to identify potential savings. The Authority is also recommending that consideration be given to the role private health insurance companies can play in assisting to fund a colorectal cancer screening programme in Ireland.