Summary

Policy, evidence and practice for screening programmes

This manual explains the evidence base, policy requirements, implementation processes, quality assurance requirements and core pathway components for screening programmes. The final chapter of the manual is a glossary of commonly used terms.

The information and resources in it are aimed at policy makers, public health leaders and screening stakeholders across the health system.

Contents

  • Summary of purpose and intended audience for this manual.

  • Core principles and elements of all screening programmes

  • Principles of informed choice applied in screening programmes

  • Health inequalities principles for screening programmes.

  • Essential elements and recommended practice for screening IT systems, data collection and reporting.

  • Workforce considerations for screening programmes.

  • Principles for developing, reviewing and publishing screening standards.

  • Activities to assess the quality of screening programmes, monitor compliance with standards and support quality improvement.

  • Definitions of words and phrases used in relation to population, targeted and stratified screening programmes.