The National Screening Unit has several systems for making sure its programmes are working.

Policy and Quality Standards are set by the National Screening Unit for both BreastScreen Aotearoa and the National Cervical Screening.  These are the minimum standards with which providers of health services associated with the programmes should comply.  Providers that have been contracted by the Ministry of Health for the programme are monitored against these.

Policy and Quality Standards are being developed for the new National Screening Unit programmes.

Independent Monitoring

Independent monitoring groups are used by the National Screening Unit to assess how both BreastScreen Aotearoa and the National Cervical Screening Programme are meeting their indicators and targets.  The Independent Monitoring Groups (IMGs) make regular reports to the Ministry of Health and recommendations on possible areas of improvement.  Copies of these reports are available on-line:

BreastScreen Aotearoa IMG reports

National Cervical Screening Programme IMG reports