Following a request from the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC), HIQA has commenced work on a health technology assessment (HTA) of extending Ireland’s national colorectal cancer screening programme, BowelScreen, to those aged 50 to 54 years. The protocol outlines the evidence synthesis approach that will be used by HIQA’s evaluation team to complete this assessment. 

The NSAC was established by the Minister for Health as an independent advisory committee to play a significant strategic role in the development and consideration of population-based screening programmes in Ireland. At the request of the Department of Health, the HTA Directorate within HIQA undertakes evidence synthesis and provides evidence-based advice to NSAC on behalf of the Minister for Health.