AQW 26186/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 28/04/2025
Answered On Date: 13/05/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the areas in which the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on screening are currently not being met.

Answer:

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific committee, makes recommendations to the four nations in relation to screening matters. The UK NSC routinely reviews the evidence available for population and targeted screening programmes.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) publishes evidence-based recommendations for the health and social care sector, developed by independent committees, including professionals and lay members, and consulted on by stakeholders.

The Northern Ireland Screening Committee (NISC) considers the UK NSC recommendations but does not consider National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. I am not aware of any NICE guidelines that are currently not being met in relation to the screening programmes.