Welcome to our latest news update from the National Screening Service (NSS). To keep up to date with our news, including upcoming events and job opportunities, read our news reports, and follow us on X @NSShse, and on LinkedIn.
Minister launches BowelScreen endoscopy service at Cork University Hospital
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill joined BowelScreen staff and colleagues in Cork University Hospital (CUH) for the official launch of a new BowelScreen endoscopy service in the hospital on 14 November. Minister Carroll MacNeill congratulated everyone for their work to get this new service open and thanked everyone who has worked to support the delivery of BowelScreen at CUH.
There are now 16 endoscopy units in Ireland delivering colonoscopy procedures to people who need further tests following their free bowel cancer screening test. The additional capacity provided in CUH will support us in our goal to offer endoscopies within 20 days of a person receiving a ‘not normal’ (positive) screening test result. Nationally, around 5,000 colonoscopies are provided as part of BowelScreen every year.
During the visit, Minister Carroll MacNeill met BowelScreen participant Mike Brady. Mike was treated at CUH for bowel cancer that was detected through screening.
Mike, who is 67 and from Midleton, Co. Cork, said: “I've been looked after extremely well. No matter what question I had, they were able to deal with it… I'm happy to give back by telling my story, and I know that it sounds a bit of a cliché, but I’ve been so lucky.”
Marking the first World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day
On the first official World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day (17 November), iconic monuments including the Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary, and Dublin’s Custom House illuminated in teal to support Ireland's vision to make cervical cancer rare in every community by 2040.
This is part of a global moment highlighting that cervical cancer can be prevented, and that with the right action, it can become a rare disease everywhere. The day was also marked by the publication of the first annual progress report by Ireland’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Partnership.
The report highlights achievements in the past year since the launch of the Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2025-2030.
We’ve created a toolkit to help communities and organisations take action to eliminate cervical cancer. It includes ready-to-use factsheets, social media graphics and messages, and printable posters to help everyone share messages in their communities.
Read about our Community-based HPV vaccination project: Working to eliminate cervical cancer in every community.
CervicalCheck Screening Training Unit wins Irish Healthcare Award
Our CervicalCheck Screening Training Unit (STU) has won the Irish Healthcare Award for Nursing and Midwifery Project of the Year, in recognition of the unit’s innovative work to build a resilient, responsive, and future-focused cervical screening education model.
The judges said: “This nurse-led national training programme for cervical screening offers flexible and accessible education with strong governance and a clear strategy. It adapts to clinicians’ needs, includes inclusive outreach, and is a superb educational development with a positive impact."
This award celebrates the STU team’s success in expanding access to high-quality education, increasing participation among sample takers, and ensuring that women receive world-class, safe and person-centred care - no matter where they are screened.
Our work with community champions to build a stronger, more equitable screening service
Partnership working is a cornerstone of our work to improve equity in screening. We deliver a training programme and provide resources to community health workers to help them support people to take part in screening.
Community champions play a vital role in improving equity in screening. Their outreach and local knowledge are invaluable in understanding the barriers people face and how best to support them to take part in screening.
After the success of our 2024 pilot project and evaluation, we expanded our work in 2025 to train new champions, build new partnerships, and provide ongoing support to champions trained in 2024. This year, we partnered with the Roma Health Network and a group of champions from Dublin North city and county. With their outreach and community links, these groups are helping more people to access, understand and take part in screening.
We look forward to continuing to work with all our community champions. Together, we are building a stronger, more equitable screening service - one that meets people where they are and supports everyone to take part.
More news in brief:
Here is some more news we reported recently:
- Strengthening community champions for screening: Progress in 2025
- Improving equity in diabetic eye screening: Partnership project with Pavee Point supports Travellers to protect eyesight
- Advancing screening in Ireland: Implementing an AI programme in the National Screening Service
- BowelScreen participants share positive experiences in patient survey
- Explained: BowelScreen age range expansion