What is the National Cancer Screening Register?
Clinician efficiency and patient care are significantly boosted by use of the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR), yet in Victoria only 36 per cent of practices have integrated it into their medical software. In the North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) catchment, the figure is just 16 per cent.
The NCSR collates information for every person accessing bowel and cervical screening. From mid-2025, lung cancer screening data will be added. Practices that integrate the register into their software have seamless access to patient information, including alerts for overdue screens or follow up appointments. To date, 3,500 practices in Australia have done so.
Comparisons between screening regimes in different countries are of limited value because of variations in technology, delivery, national coverage and stage of implementation. Australian estimates, however, suggest that an increase in bowel cancer screening for eligible adults from its current rate of about 40 per cent to 60 per cent “could save 83,800 lives … to 2040”.
Similar outcomes could be reasonably expected by any significant lift to cervical screening rates, currently estimated at 68 per cent of the eligible population.
Why should your practice be using the NCSR?
General practice is the gateway to the health system for many patients. University of Melbourne research published in 2022 found that “the endorsement of a GP has been shown to improve screening participation”.
Integrating your practice with the NCSR allows your team to access and submit bowel and cervical screening information directly through your clinical software, which supports timely recalls and reminders. Integration also assists clinicians to quickly see each patient’s screening history and thus increase opportunistic screenings and conversations about their importance.
Patients can be added, or re-added, to the register. Cervical collections – clinician-assisted or self-collected – can be initiated or scheduled and, if needed, replacement bowel cancer screening kits can be ordered.
Integrating the NCSR into clinical software
Practices using MedicalDirector, Best Practice or Communicare can integrate the NCSR easily. The platform’s website has a section explaining how to do so. It includes onboarding kits, explanatory videos, and links to technical support.
To learn more, watch this 90 second animated overview.
If you need more help, call the NCSR on 1800 627 701 or book a callback with a digital tech specialist.
What if my software isn’t compatible?
Practices using software other than Best Practice, Medical Director or Communicare can access the NCSR Health Care Provider Portal via PRODA.
To do so:
- Access your existing PRODA account or set up a new one.
- Either log in directly via PRODA (choose NCSR) or the NCSR website.
- On your first visit link your provider number to gain access.
Visit the NCSR website for more information.
Additional resources
A new primary care onboarding toolkit for practices has been developed which provides information on how to connect to the register and get the most out of the functionality.
This new case study provides quotes from people already using the integration and the communications toolkit includes new social media tiles, slides for presentations and more links to walkthrough videos.
Complete one of our Quality Improvement activities on cancer screening.
Visit HealthPathways Melbourne and check out:
How can NWMPHN support you?
For further support from NWMPHN contact the Primary Health Care Improvement Team on primarycare@nwmphn.org.au.
