Published on 2 Nov 2025

Secretariat and Meeting Management services for the National Quality Management Committee of BreastScreen Australia

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From 2021-2025, Allen + Clarke supported the National Quality Management Committee of BreastScreen Australia through comprehensive secretariat services. Facing the challenge of modernising committee operations while maintaining robust governance, we implemented an online board management system and facilitated critical transitions in leadership. This work has strengthened quality assurance processes across Australia's breast screening network, ultimately helping protect the health of Australians.

Key Takeaways:

  • Transformed committee operations by implementing an online board management system that created tangible efficiencies while maintaining robust governance standards.

  • Successfully managed complex transitions, including the integration of a new Chair and committee members, ensuring continuity in critical accreditation processes.

  • Established Community of Practice webinars that foster knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the BreastScreen Australia network.
Read about the accreditation process here
Our digital transformation initiative has delivered significant benefits for the committee. The online board management system has revolutionised how members access and review documentation, creating efficiencies while maintaining robust governance standards. This digital approach has proven particularly valuable during the committee's complex accreditation assessments, allowing for more streamlined review processes.

The Challenge

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing develops and delivers policies and programs that improve health outcomes for Australians. Through joint initiatives with state and territory governments, the Department addresses key public health priorities, including breast cancer detection through BreastScreen Australia. At the heart of this program sits the National Quality Management Committee (NQMC), responsible for accrediting screening services against National Accreditation Standards and fostering quality improvement across the network.

When the Department needed expert secretariat support for this vital committee, they engaged Allen + Clarke to provide comprehensive meeting management and administrative services. This partnership began in 2021 and has evolved into a strategic collaboration that strengthens governance frameworks and enhances clinical oversight.

The committee faced several operational challenges that needed addressing. Decision-making processes required modernisation, documentation management needed streamlining, and the committee was undergoing leadership transitions – all while maintaining its critical role in quality assurance for breast screening services across Australia.

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Our Approach

Allen + Clarke brought extensive experience in health governance and secretariat services to meet these challenges. Our approach combined practical administrative support with strategic insights, allowing us to not only manage day-to-day operations but also identify opportunities for long-term improvement in committee functions.

Through our secretariat role, we've managed both virtual and face-to-face meetings with meticulous attention to detail. This includes coordinating travel arrangements, processing fees and payments, preparing comprehensive meeting papers, and ensuring all governance requirements are met. Our support extends beyond logistics to include strategic advice on committee procedures and accreditation processes.

Our work with the NQMC focused on three strategic priorities:

  • Digital transformation - we successfully transitioned the committee to an online board management system, creating a secure, accessible platform for document sharing and decision-making that streamlined accreditation processes.

  • Capability building - we provided comprehensive support during leadership transitions, including the integration of a new Chair and multiple committee members, ensuring knowledge transfer and operational continuity.

  • Quality improvement - we facilitated the implementation of updated National Accreditation Standards and established engagement mechanisms that foster continuous improvement across the BreastScreen network.

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New opportunities for knowledge sharing

The establishment of Community of Practice webinars created new opportunities for knowledge sharing across the BreastScreen network. These sessions bring together stakeholders from different services to discuss best practices, address common challenges, and collaborate on quality improvement initiatives.

Through this work, we've helped strengthen the quality assurance mechanisms that underpin this vital cancer screening program, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for Australians.

Our partnership with the Department has delivered three key improvements to the BreastScreen Australia program:

  • Enhanced governance processes that strengthen accountability and oversight across the screening network.

  • More efficient accreditation assessments that maintain rigorous standards while reducing administrative burden.

  • Improved knowledge sharing that fosters continuous quality improvement in breast cancer screening services.

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