The development of this qualification was led by Skills for Health which worked with NOCN, alongside other AOs. You can read the excellent case study here, which summarises the background to the initiative as follows:

"In 2015, Public Health England (PHE) led a review of the education and training of NHS Health Screeners in England. This review considered the existing varied approaches to the education and training requirements for three areas of current NHS health screening programmes: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Diabetic Eye and Newborn Hearing.

The objective was to develop a sustainable, standardised qualification based on nationally agreed standards but which could be delivered locally. The outcome needed to be suitable for new staff embarking on their career and as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for existing staff. The aspiration was that the qualification would consist of mandatory units applicable across the three types of screener roles and a range of additional units specific to each discipline."

As for all other NOCN qualifications, this is a high quality regulated award, accredited by Ofqual, which recognises prior learning and is designed to meet the specific needs of employers and learners, which in this case is NHS staff working on NHS screening programmes and who require the essential knowledge and skills for their role. The qualification was designed to be achieved in the workplace, resulting in a nationally recognised qualification that also supports career progression and personal development.

It is intended that local NHS screening services will register learners (new health screeners) with a registered approved NOCN Centre, which might be for example the local NHS Trust or teaching hospital. The first Centre to be registered as an NOCN Centre to deliver this qualification is the Heart of England NHS Trust, Birmingham.

For further information, see the Skills for Health Website.