Education and training for screening-related professionals
Source: gov.uk (2025-01-27)

Education and training resources for people working in and with UK National Screening Committee-recommended NHS screening programmes in the 4 UK countries.

Health screening module

This academic health screening course is delivered at master’s level (20 CAT points). Warwick Medical School run this course annually and teaching is supported by expert academic staff and staff from the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC).

The course is ideal to enhance professional development, knowledge of screening or to study as part of an overall MPH or MSc programme.

Covering the underlying epidemiological principles, as well as ethics and policy issues, it will help those who commission, run or evaluate screening programmes locally and nationally, as well as helping those interested in policy and practice in population screening.

The course is designed for a broad range of individuals including:
- health professionals
- commissioners
- policy makers
- screening stakeholders
- those undertaking broad-based public health training
- staff working in screening programmes
The next module runs from Monday 17 November to Friday 21 November 2025. Visit the University of Warwick website (https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/study/cpd/module_index/mh933) for further details.

Bursaries

Information about a small number of bursaries to support study (course fees only) is published each summer on the UK NSC blog (https://nationalscreening.blog.gov.uk/).

Sign up for alerts to the UK NSC blog (https://nationalscreening.blog.gov.uk/subscribe/) to receive a notification when the latest bursary information is available.

Screening masterclass

The screening masterclass is for staff working in public health who are responsible for commissioning, managing or delivering national screening programmes for their local populations. It is also suitable for screening leads within NHS provider trusts.

Masterclasses are held virtually and led by a team of screening experts. Sessions are interactive and use a variety of teaching methods, including case studies and practical exercises.

Course content

The day session includes information on:
- what screening is (and is not)
- defining a high-quality screening service
- how to be an effective public health practitioner
- an overview of policy and practice of current NHS screening programmes
- the role and remit of the UK NSC
- quality assurance in action
- how to identify common problems, and share experiences
The masterclass is free, however places are limited. Email xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) for upcoming dates and to book a place.

Screening e-learning module

The module on screening (https://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/interactive-learning/screening) hosted by the Faculty of Public Health covers the evaluation and delivery of screening. It is aimed at both new and experienced practitioners.

The module is written by Dr Angela Raffle (https://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/about-us/the-authors/angela-raffle). It contains useful information and evidence relating to screening, as well as examples of how this can be applied as part of daily practice.

The module chapters cover:
- what screening is and is not
- what screening does
- the screening programme
- measuring what screening does
- measures of test performance
- handling media interviews
- commissioning quality screening
- screening prior to evidence
Screening education and training resources are also provided by NHS England, including e-learning modules and programme-specific training information. See NHS population screening: education and training (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-population-screening-education-and-training) for details.