Welcome to the latest news update from the National Screening Service. To keep up to date with our news, including upcoming events and job opportunities, read our news reports, and follow us on X @NSShse, LinkedIn, and on Bluesky @nsshse.
Our work to improve access to screening for disabled people
We are taking action to make our screening programmes more accessible for people who have a disability. We’re implementing practical changes to break down barriers and improve equity.
This work includes:
- developing and delivering staff training on disability awareness, effective communication and reasonable accommodation
- providing training for our access officers
- developing a guide to help carers and the people they support to access screening
- developing information in accessible formats including easy-to-read, plain language, and visual stories using photos and videos.
By listening to people with disabilities and acting on what we learn, we’re working to make sure that disabled people can take part in screening and benefit from prevention and early detection.
EUCanScreen focuses on Ireland’s equity work
This month, the EUCanScreen project focuses on Ireland’s work to increase equity in screening. The European Joint Action on Cancer Screening initiative aims to reduce the cancer burden across member states and partner countries. Each month a different country takes the lead to share its news on the project website.
News reports about our equity work have featured on the website throughout the month of December, with topics relating to our work with the Traveller community, our Patient and Public Partnership, and screening for people who have a disability.
Read all the news and actions from Ireland featured on the EUCanScreen website.
The patient and public voice features across the National Screening Service in 2025
Our 41 Patient and Public Partnership (PPP) representatives took part in 75 projects and activities this year, including:
- co-designing and providing feedback on programme reports, information guides, screening participant letters and plain language guidelines
- developing BreastCheck information for the HSE Health App
- sharing their stories on regular and social media
- supporting research.
Patient and public partnership is central to how we develop, design and improve our screening programmes. We believe that our screening services are stronger and more effective when they are shaped by the people who use them.
Read more about the patient and public voice in the National Screening Service in 2025.
NSS-funded research highlights how we communicate can shape trust in cervical screening
The Economic & Social Research Institute (ESRI) has published the findings of a study that explores strategies to build understanding and trust in population-based cervical screening.
Funded by the National Screening Service / ESRI Research Programme, the study focuses on how best to explain uncertainty in cervical screening in a way that supports trust and understanding. Eight hundred women in Ireland took part in the study that found that the way information is communicated matters as much as what information is shared.
We value your feedback - please contact us at: communications@screeningservice.ie