Nearly 100 people logged on to the second UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) web-based seminar, which focused on the process of planning and running an in-service evaluation (ISE).
Many thanks to our 4 expert presenters who drew from the real-world implementation of the ISE of screening for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) as part of the NHS Newborn Blood Spot (NBS) Screening Programme in England.
The ISE of NBS screening for SCID was launched in September 2021 by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England (NHSE). And earlier this year the ISE was extended until the end of February 2024.
Delegates from a broad range of backgrounds heard Dr David Elliman, Clinical Advisor to the NHS NBS Screening Programme, outline the background to the ISE and the questions it would address to inform a final UK NSC recommendation on screening for SCID.
Prof Jim Bonham, Laboratory Advisor to the NHS NBS Screening Programme, summarised the detailed activities undertaken to prepare for the ISE, from policy, governance and finance issues to logistics, training, laboratory and reporting work.
Liz Robinson, NHSE’s NBS Screening Programme Manager, updated delegates on the progress of the ISE, its challenges and learning points, before clinical adviser Dr Jane Scarlett looked ahead to the next steps.
The presenters then answered detailed questions from the audience on planning and delivering an ISE that can provide definitive answers to the UK NSC's questions.
They explained how complex it is to change an entire service that tests all newborns while ensuring that every individual receives the right follow-up. This requires changes to labs, clinical pathways and other services, such as immunisations, while learning about the effects of screening and keeping the extremely high quality and well loved NBS screening programme safe and effective throughout.
Catch up on the presentations
View the presentations from the Planning and implementing an in-service evaluation seminar.
Visit the UK National Screening Committee seminars web page for details of future events.
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