The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has today published terms of reference for a new review of the governance arrangements by the Health Service Executive (HSE) for the provision of population-based health screening services in Ireland.

The National Screening Service, part of the HSE, provides four population-based health screening programmes: BreastCheck, CervicalCheck, BowelScreen and Diabetic RetinaScreen. In addition, the National Healthy Childhood Programme delivers the National Bloodspot Screening Programme and the National Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programme.

HIQA recognises that the population-based health screening services are pursuing measures to improve their services where necessary, increase participation and to address inequities in access and uptake across screening programmes. The purpose of this review is to provide an independent assurance to the public that required improvements to the way some screening services were provided following a number of reviews into the CervicalCheck screening programme in recent years have been made and sustained across all health screening programmes currently in operation.

HIQA’s Director of Healthcare Regulation, Sean Egan, said:

“Ireland’s population-based health screening services are vital for the early detection and treatment of cancer, diabetic retinopathy and inherited conditions and hearing difficulties in newborn babies. This review aims to ensure that any such growth in Ireland’s health screening services is built upon strong foundations, supporting continuous improvement as services develop. It is an opportunity for a proactive, independent assessment of the screening services to provide assurance to the public. Should we identify areas for improvement, we will make recommendations.”

HIQA’s review of the services will include interviews with key personnel involved in the governance and delivery of health screening services at programme and national HSE level, a review of documentation and targeted risk-based inspections of the services where needed.

Read the Terms of Reference for A review of the governance arrangements for the provision of population-based health screening services by the Health Service Executive at national level here.

ENDS

Further information:

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement, 085 8055 202, mwhelan@hiqa.ie 

Notes for Editor:

• The review will be conducted under section 8(1)(c) of the Health Act 2007, which outlines HIQA’s powers to monitor compliance with nationally mandated standards and advise the Minister for Health and the Health Service Executive accordingly.
• The review will monitor compliance with the National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare.
  About HIQA

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is the independent body that promotes safety and quality in the provision of health and social care services in Ireland.

Through its regulation, standard setting and evidence to inform decision-making functions, HIQA supports health and social care services to consistently deliver excellent standards of care and the best possible health and social care outcomes for all.