Question reference: S6W-20264
- Asked by: Evelyn Tweed, MSP for Stirling, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 26 July 2023
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Jenni Minto on 27 July 2023
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on work in relation to addressing health inequalities within the national screening programmes.
Answer
Inequalities within the screening programmes are complex issues; tackling them will require sustained focus over the longer term, and an acceptance that improvements are likely to be incremental. This in turn will require leadership, collaboration and ambition, and this work must be a priority for Scotland’s national screening programmes, and everyone who supports them.
The National Screening Oversight (NSO) with the support of Scottish Government have developed the Equity in Screening Strategy which, combined with an action plan, will be published on 27 th July 2023. The vision of the strategy is for equitable access for all eligible individuals, across the full screening pathway.
The Strategy will launch alongside the Equity in Screening Network, which will support the strategy by capturing local and third sector research activity, and allow individuals that work across screening to share evidence, best practice and learning around screening inequalities.