Policies and Standards

All BreastScreen Aotearoa facilities have to meet the BreastScreen Aotearoa National Policy and Quality Standards (NPQS).

These standards determine the minimum requirements for any service provider of BreastScreen Aotearoa (BSA) services, be they independent service providers, lead providers or subcontracted providers working within New Zealand's national breast screening programme, BreastScreen Aotearoa.

Breast screening has the potential to reduce premature mortality and morbidity from breast cancer, and to improve quality of life. However, it also has additional costs and the potential to harm. To minimise harm, the National Screening Unit requires each BSA provider to have systems in place to ensure their ongoing adherence to the NPQS. There is also an external audit process to enable verification of adherence to each of the standards.

These standards replace the previous version published in 2008 and the 'Interim Digital Mammography standards for Full Field Digital Mammography and CR Systems (2013)'. The standards were developed in consultation with providers, professional groups, consumers and key stakeholders.

Our present stage is one of implementing the revised National Policy and Quality Standards, developing new audit tools and work to ensure these standards remain a user-friendly, dynamic document. The development of additional standards and/or protocols will be undertaken as required, to ensure they are both appropriate and current.

BreastScreen Aotearoa National Policy and Quality Standards 2013 (pdf, 2.34 MB)

BreastScreen Aotearoa National Policy and Quality Standards 2013 (doc, 1200 KB)