UK National Screening Committee hailed for ‘world-leading’ performance

A newly published academic report has praised the UK National Screening Committee as a best practice model for national population-based screening programmes worldwide.

The screening advisory body was recently assessed as part of an international comparison of screening policymaking internationally by the University of Warwick, with the UK body being highlighted as a world-leading example.

According to the report, the committee has implemented the most integrated and evidence-based screening programmes in the world, but it was also noted that there remain areas in which it can improve.

Several steps have already been taken to this effect, such as efforts to introduce greater transparency in its work, while review documents are to be made more consistent, with plain English summaries of the key points.

Meanwhile, the committee will also be starting to publish a code of practice to clearly set out the remit of its work, including oversight, performance, terms of business and membership.

Dr Anne Mackie, director of programmes for the UK National Screening Committee, said: "The work of the UK National Screening Committee is essential in ensuring we only implement screening programmes where we have robust evidence that the programme will result in more good than harm."