Written question WQ100232
- Asked by
- Lindsay WhittlePlaid
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Minister for Health and Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 8 days
Question
What consideration has the Welsh Government given to introducing a routine newborn-screening programme for spinal muscular atrophy?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care (Mabon ap Gwynfor)
Wales is not currently participating in the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in-service evaluation. Improvements to infrastructure are required within the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Wales Programme before additional conditions can be safely introduced.
My officials are working closely with NHS partners on proposals to establish the requirements for modernising and future-proofing newborn screening infrastructure in Wales, to ensure we are well placed to respond to future screening developments and recommendations.