The Bristol Evidence Synthesis for Screening (BESS) Group conducts evidence synthesis projects to support the work of the UK NSC.
We are funded by the NIHR for a five year period, from April 2025, to produce evidence reviews of various types. These reviews are commissioned by the UK NSC to inform assessment of their criteria for appraising the viability, effectiveness and appropriateness of a screening programme.
Our projects to date are listed below.
Evidence Maps
Evidence maps provide an overview of the “volume and type” of evidence available, to determine whether more in-depth work is justified.
| Project Title | Start Date | Report Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Screening for urea cycle disorder in newborns | 1st April 2025 | 20th May 2025 |
| Bowel cancer triage tests | 7th May 2025 | 20th June 2025 |
| Screening for coeliac disease in adults | 12th May 2025 | TBC |
| Antenatal screening for Hepatitis C | July 2025 | TBC |
| Screening for hypertension in adults | August 2025 | TBC |
Evidence Summaries
Evidence summaries (also known as rapid reviews) provide information on the volume, type and direction of evidence on a particular question or set of questions on a given screening topic, considering the quantity, quality, applicability, and consistency of the evidence.
| Project Title | Start Date | Report Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Screening for hypertension in adults | August 2025 | TBC |
Systematic Reviews
Systematic reviews attempt to identify, appraise and synthesise all empirical evidence meeting pre-specified eligibility criteria to address a specific research question.
Cost-effectiveness models
Cost-effectiveness models can be used to synthesise available and relevant evidence on the costs and effects of screening programmes. The models are used to compare the cost-effectiveness of screening programmes relative to standard care or alternative screening programmes, to determine whether programmes represent best value for money.
| Project Title | Start Date | Report Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Screening for congenital heart defect in the newborn using pulse oximetry | September 2025 | TBC |
Methodological Projects
The UK NSC has additionally commissioned us to work on the following methodological projects.
| Project Title | Start Date | Report Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Guidance (Reference Case) for Screening Cost Effectiveness Evaluations | April 2025 | TBC |