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Guidance

Dealing with unacceptable communications to the UK National Screening Commitee

Published 10 July 2026

© Crown copyright 2026

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-nsc-procedure-for-dealing-with-unacceptable-communications/dealing-with-unacceptable-communications-to-the-uk-national-screening-commitee

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is committed to engaging with, and providing information for, its stakeholders and the wider public. We aim to engage courteously, professionally and fairly with everyone who contacts us.

In return, we expect communications to the UK NSC to be polite and respectful.

Unacceptable communications

We recognise that people may be upset about a recommendation the UK NSC has made or may be passionate about influencing a change in a recommendation. We understand this and make reasonable allowances for this in our handling of communications. However, we will not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour (written or verbal). This includes:

  • insulting, degrading or derogatory language (including racist, sexist, ageist or homophobic remarks, or unacceptable comments relating to gender, disability, religion or beliefs)
  • threats of harm, or wishing harm or illness on others
  • repeated (vexatious) communications on an issue if we have already explained we cannot provide further help or information

How we respond to unacceptable communications

If we receive an unacceptable communication, depending on the nature, we may:

  • respond briefly to ask the sender to modify the communication appropriately
  • explain that we will not provide a response due to the nature of the communication
  • inform the sender that we are blocking them (in the case of repeated abusive, threatening or vexatious communications)
  • refer the matter to the police if a criminal offence has been threatened or committed

Responses to UK NSC public consultations

We have the same expectations of UK NSC public consultation responses as for other communications to the committee.

The UK NSC will not accept consultation responses that include abusive, derogatory or threatening content. We will return such responses as unacceptable, with a request to modify the content appropriately. If an unacceptable response is repeated, we will not accept it for the consultation and will inform the sender that we will not accept any further responses from them on the topic.

The UK NSC is hosted by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Any complaint regarding UK NSC handling of communications can be logged via the DHSC complaints procedure.

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