NHS population screening: diploma for health screeners
Information explaining the Level 3 Diploma for health screeners.
Applies to England
The health screener diploma (HSD) is on the Ofqual regulated qualification framework (RQF). It is the recommended national training programme for new screeners, who are not on a regulated professional register, working in the:
- NHS abdominal aortic aneurysm screening programme (AAA)
- NHS diabetic eye screening programme (DES)
- NHS newborn hearing screening programme (NHSP)
Qualification structure
The qualification is made up of 13 generic units that cover the basic knowledge and skills needed to work in a healthcare setting. Additionally, each screening programme has programme specific units.
Successful completion of the diploma provides:
- a recognised national qualification
- evidence of transferable skills that support personal and academic development
- screeners with the knowledge, skills and understanding to work in a healthcare environment
Awarding organisations
The 3 awarding organisations (AOs) in England which can provide the health screener diploma (HSD) are:
There is no difference in the content of the qualification between the awarding organisations (AOs). The qualification is provided to NHS requirements.
Approved centres
Approved centres (ACs):
- can offer the qualification for the 3 screening programme pathways
- are the administrative hubs that register HSD assessors and learners
- are responsible for assuring the quality of the qualification delivered in local screening programmes
If you are interested in becoming an approved centre, please get in touch with one of 3 awarding organisations via the NHS Screening Helpdesk.
Register a new learner
- Contact the NHS Screening helpdesk for a list of ACs which offer the health screener diploma (HSD) in England.
- Decide which AC to register with and contact them directly.
- Register learners and assessors with the AC. Learners must be registered for the qualification within 6 months of starting employment as a screener.
Information about costs and funding is given below.
Starting the qualification
After registration for the qualification, the approved centre will provide learners and assessors with all the required HSD documentation.
Costs and funding
NHS screening providers are required to meet the training requirements for new screeners in the NHSP, AAA and DES programmes, as per the section 7a screening programme specifications.
The requirement covers enrolment on the national HSD, and subsequent successful completion. Please see the relevant programme service specification for more information.
Health Education England (HEE) administers the reimbursement of training costs for the HSD qualification. Employers should email their HEE regional team to access the reimbursement process:
North East and Yorkshire – [email protected]
North West – [email protected]
Midlands – [email protected]
East of England – [email protected]
London – [email protected]
South East – [email protected]
South West – [email protected]
Assessing learners
Read the guidance on assessing the health screener diploma to find out about the role of the assessor and the qualification needed to assess the diploma.
Supporting resources
The HSD e-resource is available on the e-learning for healthcare (e-LfH) platform.
The resource is made up of 6 topics:
- overview of the qualification
- navigating the qualification
- the screener’s role
- communication and information
- health and safety
- infection prevention and control
HSD: the learner’s journey is a resource made up of 5 short films that take the assessor and learner through the HSD qualification journey.
It covers the following important steps and messages:
- initial meeting between assessor and learner
- planning an assessment
- carrying out an assessment – professional discussion
- use of expert witness
- feedback and signing off units
Resources for delivering the mandatory healthcare units
The level 2 care certificate includes units that are similar to the HSD mandatory units. Learners and local programmes can use presentations, workbooks and resources from the care certificate to help with mandatory units. These resources are at level 2.
Additional learning and evidence of application of the knowledge and skills to the screener role is required to meet the HSD level 3 requirements.
Download these resources from:
Updates to this page
Published 1 April 2017Last updated 6 October 2023 + show all updates
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Updated the contact details for South West to [email protected] in the costs and funding section.
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North West email address updated to [email protected]
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The London email has been updated in the 'costs and funding section'.
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Addition of contact details for HEE regional teams in 'Costs and funding' section.
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Deleted information under ‘Starting the qualification’ about the expectations on learners.
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Changed point 3 of 'Register a new learner' section.
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Added information on how to apply for funding from 1 April 2019.
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Updated as funding is available for 2 screeners per local programme.
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Updated wording under Costs and funding to align with programme specification.
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First published.