The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is an independent advisory committee which advises the Minister and Department of Health on all new proposals for population-based screening programmes and revisions to existing programmes. The Committee plays a significant strategic role in the development and consideration of population-based screening programmes in Ireland.
Ireland has several population-based screening programmes. The National Screening Service (NSS) in the HSE screens for breast, cervical and colon cancers and diabetic retinopathy. The HSE’s National Healthy Childhood Programme includes the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (NNBSP) and the National Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NNHSP).
The purpose of these screening programmes is to reduce morbidity and mortality through early detection and treatment of disease.
The National Screening Advisory Committee does not have any operational role in the day to day running of any screening programmes. That remains the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE).