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Published: 31 January 2025

News update from the National Screening Service – January 2025

Welcome to our latest news summary featuring updates from the National Screening Service. To keep up to date with our news, including upcoming events and job opportunities, read our news reports, follow us on X and Bluesky @NSShse, and on LinkedIn.

Thanks to our partners for supporting Cervical Cancer Prevention Week

Cervical Cancer Prevention Week (20 to 26 January) is an annual awareness week when the importance of cervical screening gets the spotlight. This year, our campaign focused on how we provide access to CervicalCheck and work with doctors and nurses around the country to support their initiatives to make cervical screening more accessible for all women.

CervicalCheck Clinical Director Professor Nóirín Russell featured on news bulletins across national and local radio stations, highlighting that 48% of cervical cancers are detected in women who have never had a screening test.

Marking the week, we published your essential guide to free cervical screening in Ireland.

Psychotherapist Beth Wallace shared her story during Cervical Cancer Prevention Week and stories of healthcare workers delivering screening featured in Our Health Service. Thanks to all our partners who shared their stories and supported our messaging across their channels during the week, raising awareness of the role of cervical screening in preventing cervical cancer.

BreastCheck seeks re-accreditation with EUREF

Our BreastCheck programme has started the re-accreditation process with EUREF - the European Reference Organisation for Quality Assured Breast Screening and Diagnostic Services.

BreastCheck Clinical Director Dr Alissa Connors says: “Obtaining BreastCheck’s re-certification with EUREF will support public confidence in the programme and encourage good attendance rates. In addition, our staff will benefit from independent reassurance that our programme is working to a high standard.”

One of the key activities of EUREF is certification of breast screening and diagnostic services. It has developed a European programme for voluntary certification of high-quality mammography services in co-operation with the European Network of Breast Screening Programmes, departments of the European Commission, European agencies, and other interested national authorities in member states.

2023 Public Health Activity Report published

We’ve published our 2023 Public Health activity report. The report reflects the team’s work in 2023 to address equity in screening; improve the quality of the four screening programmes; and improve population health, in collaboration with our screening programmes, departments, and external partners.

Learn more about our work to improve equity in screening.

More news in brief

Here is some more news we reported recently:


We value your feedback. Email us at communications@screeningservice.ie