Babies: Screening
Commons · Question 25145 · Tabled 28 Aug 2026 · Department of Health and Social Care · Official record
Answered 7 Sep 2026
Question
Asked by Vikki Slade
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring heel prick tests to be carried out no later than the day of birth of a newborn.
Answer
Answered by Dame Diana Johnson, 7 Sep 2026
No assessment has been made of pre-natal testing and treatment for spinal muscular atrophy. However, we refer the Hon Member to the announcement made on post-natal screening for spinal muscular atrophy by the Department on 16 July 2026, which is available...