NSW Cervical Screening Program - Strategic Directions

Appendix 1. Goals, aims and objectives of the program Overarching Goal

To achieve optimal reductions in the incidence of, and mortality and morbidity attributed to, cervical cancer at an acceptable cost to the community.

Aims of the Program

1. To maximise the detection of precursors of cervical cancer within the target population by achieving high participation rates and standards across the screening pathway.
2. To encourage the development of services that are acceptable, appropriate and accessible to the target population.
3. To promote access to information about cervical screening and follow up services.
4. To promote quality management and high standards of service delivery throughout the screening pathway.
5. To ensure quality accountability and appropriate monitoring and evaluation of the Program at all levels.

Objectives of the Program

1. To develop and implement recruitment strategies for unscreened and under screened women in the target population.
2. To develop and maintain systems to ensure that women with a screen detected abnormality are appropriately followed up.
3. To regularly review the nationally agreed screening policy and strategies to ensure compliance with that policy.
4.To ensure that screening services are available to women with special needs, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from non-English speaking backgrounds, and women living in rural and remote areas, and that those services are consistent with their respective needs.
5. To ensure that women and service providers receive comprehensive and accurate information on the benefits and limitation of cervical screening and on the implications and management of a screen detected abnormalities.
6. To maintain an effective and nationally consistent Program through Commonwealth leadership, collaboration with the States and Territories, and consultation with professional and consumer groups.
7. To collect and analyse data sufficient to monitor the implementation of the Program, to evaluate its effectiveness and efficiency, and to provide the basis for future policy and Program development decisions.

Appendix 2. Membership - State Advisory Committee

Mr Robert Lagaida
Chair Director, Contract & Service Performance Branch
NSW Health Department
Dr Gerry Wain
Program Director
NSW Cervical Screening Program

DR Jeanette Ward
Director, Research & Evaluation Unit
NSW Cervical Screening Program

DR Bruce Armstrong
Director, Cancer Control Information Centre
NSW Cancer Council

Ms Julie Hamblin
Partner
Ebsworth & Ebsworth

DR Edith Weisberg
Medical Director
Family Planning NSW

DR Alan Ferrier
Senior Lecturer
O & G Dept of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Royal North Shore Hospital

Ms Judith Thompson
Clinical Nurse Consultant,
Women's Health Community Health Centre
Far West Health Service

Ms Marian Haas
Centre for Health Economics,
Research & Evaluation (CHERE)

Ms. Rosalie Viney
Centre for Health Economics,
Research & Evaluation (CHERE)

Dr. Paul McKenzie
Senior Staff Specialist
Anatomical Pathology, RPAH

DR Annabelle Farnsworth
Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology

Ms Helen Moore
Epidemiologist Centre for Clinical Policy & Practice
NSW Health Department

Ms Pauline Foote
Senior Policy Analyst
Health Services Policy NSW Health Department

DR RJ McMahon
Royal Australian College of General Practice

Ms Trish Vezgoff
Consumer Health Forum

Ms Jayne Ross
Program Manager
NSW Cervical Screening Program

Ms Liz Reeson
Coordinator, NSW Pap Test Register
NSW Cancer Council

Ms Liz Martin
Senior Policy Officer Contract & Service Performance Branch
NSW Health Department