Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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358. To ask the Minister for Health if an audit facility is in place under the BowelScreen programme; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23253/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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An audit facility is not in place in the BowelScreen programme. BowelScreen is relatively new, having been commenced in 2012.

A BowelScreen Quality Assurance Committee is in place and consists of experts drawn from the field of endoscopy, radiology, histopathology, surgery and programme operation and administration.  This Committee provides continuous oversight of quality within the programme, which involves reviewing international standards, recommending best practice and monitoring and supporting adherence of the standards by service providers.

A range of Quality Assurance mechanisms and Key Performance Indicators are in place, including the analysis of the FIT kit/home test and, at hospital level, the auditing of individual performances of endoscopists who carry out the programme’s colonoscopies.

The Terms of Reference of the Scoping Inquiry led by Dr Gabriel Scally include to examine the other screening programmes operated by the National Screening Service particularly in relation to quality assurance and clinical audit, open disclosure and governance.  The outcome of the Scoping Inquiry will inform the further development of the BowelScreen programme.