The National Screening Unit
The NSU leads, oversees and co-ordinates organised screening programmes in NZ. The Unit is currently responsible for four screening programmes.
home > about nsu
Print this page
The National Screening Unit (NSU) provides health screening programmes in New Zealand. A separate unit of the Ministry of Health, the Unit is responsible for the safety, effectiveness and quality of health and disability screening programmes. The Unit is currently responsible for five screening programmes:
BreastScreen Aotearoa - screens women for breast cancer
National Cervical Screening Programme - screens women for abnormal changes to cells on the cervix
Newborn Metabolic Screening Programme - screens newborn babies for certain metabolic disorders
Antenatal HIV Screening Programme - screens pregnant women for HIV to reduce the chances of HIV being passed to the baby
Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programme - screens newborn babies for hearing loss
The NSU monitors the quality of screening programmes, and works with expert groups to make sure each screening programme is based on the latest evidence and meets high standards.
The NSU also advises the Government on other potential programmes, such as screening for colorectal cancer or antenatal screening for Down syndrome.
The core functions of the National Screening Unit include:
- national co-ordination, leadership, and advice to government regarding screening
- ensuring obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi are met
- research and development including evaluation of new evidence related to screening and evidence-based appraisal of technological advances in screening
- developing frameworks, standards and policy, and monitoring performance evaluating screening services
- coordinating, leading and developing a screening workforce
- administering legislation related to screening programmes
- identifying under-screened groups and developing effective strategies to improve their participation.