Developing a flexible sigmoidoscopy bowel screening programme in Jersey

Jersey is a self-governing British Crown dependency with a non-NHS health service that benchmarks its policies alongside UK standards. Colorectal cancer is the third-highest cause of cancer-related death in the island, and in the absence of a bowel cancer screening programme, a steering group was established to review current screening models and create a programme for the island. A robust service has been developed offering a one-off flexible sigmoidoscopy to all islanders in their 60th year, with high adenoma detection rates and excellent client feedback. This article gives an overview of the considerations taken when setting up the service and the lessons learnt in the first year.