HSE National Screening Service

Ireland’s HSE National Screening Service is taking action to make breast, cervical and bowel screening more accessible for disabled people. Grounded in research with disabled people, Ireland is implementing practical changes – from staff training to new resources for carers – to break down barriers and improve equity.

Listening to the lived experience

We know that disabled people experience barriers that can make it harder to access cancer screening. These barriers are often practical – such as transport or physical access – and they can also relate to communication or understanding of screening.

To better understand these challenges, Ireland’s HSE National Screening Service carried out a national Disability Needs Assessment. It’s the first study of its type to be carried out in Ireland. We worked with researchers from Dublin City University’s School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health to complete the study. We worked in partnership with disabled people and representative organisations. The research gathered the lived experiences of accessing breast, cervical and bowel screening.

It highlighted many areas where we can do better, including:

• making information clearer and easier to understand
• offering more flexible appointment options
• building staff confidence and awareness
• supporting carers to help people attend screening.

This research has shaped a programme of work to reduce barriers and make screening more accessible and inclusive for all.