Press release
The National Screening Advisory Committee held its first meeting of 2020
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) held its first meeting of 2020 on Thursday 5 March 2020.
The meeting gave the Committee an opportunity to build on the work begun at its inaugural meeting in November of last year, and to agree the structural and procedural documentation that will set out how the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) conducts its business.
The Committee welcomed Dr Patricia Harrington, Head of Assessment at the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Directorate at HIQA. Dr Harrington presented the draft National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC)/ HIQA Work Programme 2020 to 2021. A discussion took place around the procedures by which the Health Technology Assessment team will collaborate with the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) as the work of the Committee develops.
The Department of Health has signed a Service Level Agreement with the UK National Screening Committee. Since it was established in 1996 the UK NSC has accumulated enormous experience and expertise which will be available to the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This agreement includes the opportunity to engage on the development of evidence-review documents produced by the UK National Screening Committee and also provides observer status at UK National Screening meetings.
This arrangement will provide expert information and support to the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). I updated the Committee on my recent attendance at a meeting of the UK National Screening Committee.
The Committee discussed the methods by which the new applications and revision to existing screening programmes will be sought and processed. It was emphasised that applications will be assessed on the basis of sound verifiable international evidence.
One of the Committee members, Dr Abigail Collins, in her capacity as a member of the National Newborn Bloodspot Governance Group reported to the Committee on the current evidence-base supporting the addition of ADA SCID to the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme. It is expected that the Governance Group will, in the near future, make an application to the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) to have ADA SCID added to the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme.
The Committee approved the proposal by the Chair to invite the following as observers to attend meetings of the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC):
The Committee also approved the proposal to establish an International Advisory Faculty to be available for consultation and advice and it was agreed to extend an invitation to join to:-
More information about the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) and the recent meeting can be found here: www.nsacommittee.gov.ie
Professor Niall O’Higgins
Chair of the National Screening Advisory Committee
1 April 2020
The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) is an independent advisory committee and will advise the Minister and Department of Health on all new proposals for population-based screening programmes and revisions to existing programmes.
The Committee will play a significant strategic role in the development and consideration of population-based screening programmes in Ireland.
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).
Chair of the National Screening Advisory Committee
National Screening Advisory Committee Members
ENDS