Review of national cancer screening programmes in England

Summary

Leading expert Professor Sir Mike Richards was jointly commissioned by NHS chief executive Simon Stevens and Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock to make recommendations on overhauling national screening programmes, as part of a new NHS drive for earlier diagnosis and improved cancer survival.

Content

The report called for people to be given much greater choice over when and where they are screened. It recommends that women should be able to choose appointments at doctors’ surgeries, health centres or locations close to their work during lunchtime or other breaks rather than having to attend their own GP practice. Local screening services should put on extra evening and weekend appointments for breast, cervical and other cancer checks. As people lead increasingly busy lives, local NHS areas should look at ways that they can provide appointments at locations that are easier to access.

These documents provide details, including the terms of reference, for the review of national cancer screening programmes in England.