The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published terms of reference for a new review of the governance arrangements by the 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.

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.

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 is available at hiqa.ie.