Explaining targeted screening

This is the third blog in our series leading up to the opening of the UK National Screening Committee's open call, which will run from 1 July to 30 September 2026.

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) welcomes proposals through its open call process to consider changes to screening policy. In recent years, more proposals have focused on targeted screening. This is screening aimed at people who are at higher risk of a condition than the general population. 

However, proposals sometimes describe interventions that more closely relate to clinical management pathways or occupational health programmes, rather than an organised screening programme.

This blog explains what the UK NSC means by targeted screening, how it differs from other forms of health interventions, and what this means for people submitting topics through the open call. 

How the UK NSC defines targeted screening 

The UK NSC defines targeted screening as a nationally delivered proactive screening programme which aims to improve health outcomes in people with the condition being screened for. This is aimed at groups of people identified as being at elevated or above-average risk of a specific condition. 

Targeted screening differs from population screening because it is offered to smaller groups defined by risk (for example, people who smoke), rather than to large demographic groups such as people of a particular age or sex.

It is important to know that, like population screening, targeted screening is nationally defined, uses electronic lists of people to proactively invite and recall, and invites people who are generally well and without symptoms (asymptomatic) of the condition that is being screened for. Its purpose is to deliver more benefit than harm at reasonable cost.

Targeted screening proposals received through the open call are assessed against specific UK NSC criteria, including whether: 

screening benefits outweigh the harms  the programme is acceptable and equitable  there is evidence of feasibility, including a viable way of identifying and inviting the population to be screened screening is cost effective Targeted screening is not the same as clinical care

Clinical management usually happens after a person seeks healthcare, for example because they have symptoms or concerns, or because a clinician identifies risk during routine care. Decisions about offering testing are made case by case and do not involve a regularly offered invitation process or quality assured screening pathway. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) are predominantly responsible for providing guidance for clinical management.

By contrast, screening is designed to proactively and routinely invite people who do not believe that have the condition screened for. It involves a clearly defined eligible group, complete and regular (systematic) invitation, and a quality-assured (QA) pathway from invitation and screening test through to diagnosis and treatment. These features help make sure asymptomatic people who accept their screening offer receive safe, effective and evidence‑based care. Harms (for example from not being followed up or from getting the wrong test) are minimised through rigorous QA.

If a screening proposal focuses primarily on how clinicians should test or manage high-risk patients within routine clinical appointments and healthcare, it is unlikely to be considered targeted screening in the UK NSC open call. During the open call review process, proposals that potentially overlap with existing National Institute for NICE and Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) guidelines will be discussed with these organisations. NICE and HIS provide evidence‑based recommendations to guide the clinical management of many health conditions.

More details on the differences between targeted screening and clinical guidance can be found in our blog post 'Why screening is not the answer to inconsistently applied clinical guidance'.

How targeted screening differs from occupational health testing 

Occupational health programmes test or monitor people because of workplace risks or regulatory requirements. These programmes are typically employer-led and are designed to manage workplace health and safety in a specific workplace or setting.

By contrast, targeted screening is based on risk factors linked to a higher chance of disease, rather than being part of a particular occupational group. UK NSC-recommended screening programmes should be offered to populations defined by health or demographic risk, not by profession. An occupation-based approach sits within occupational health and the remit of the Health and Safety Executive.

Submissions to the 2026 open call 

Proposals to the open call must be submitted between 1 July and 30 September 2026 to be considered. Please follow our guidance on submitting a proposal, which covers what to include and how to submit it.

Keep up to date 

The UK NSC blog provides up to date news from the UK NSC. You can register to receive updates direct to your inbox, so there is no need to keep checking for new articles. If you have any questions about this blog article, or about the work of the UK NSC, please email uknsc@dhsc.gov.uk. 

https://nationalscreening.blog.gov.uk/2026/06/19/explaining-targeted-screening/

seen at 09:50, 19 June in UK National Screening Committee.