The NHS Plan
(Department of Health (DOH) 2000) has became the blueprint
for modernisation of all health service provision, with
emphasis on reducing the health divide in society by
providing quality care across all agencies, based on
evidence, supported by appropriate technologies and
quality assurance mechanisms.
It stated that by 2004 there will be:
‘effective and appropriate screening programmes
for women and children including a new national linked
antenatal and neonatal screening programme for haemoglobinopathy
and sickle cell disease.’
In response, the Minister for Public Health announced
new initiatives to modernise antenatal and child health
screening services, to ensure that expectant parents
could make informed choices about which tests to have.
The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) was established
to advise Ministers, the devolved National assemblies,
and the Scottish Parliament on all aspects of screening
policy and has two subgroups dealing with antenatal
and child health screening issues.
Screening in early pregnancy is an essential
component of good maternity care, and a fundamental
entitlement for the mother and her developing baby.
The establishment of a regionally implemented initiative
for antenatal screening by the National Screening Committee
(NSC) is a welcome development towards the provision
of a standard of care where an expectant mother is offered
the same information, the same options and the same
quality of service, regardless of where she happens
to book for her care.
This commitment covers three different
screening programmes:
Antenatal screening for thalassaemia
Antenatal screening for sickle cell disease
Neonatal screening for sickle cell disease
Mapping of Services
Glenda Augustine, Specialist Midwife Antenatal Haemoglobinopathies,
is conducting a regional review of antenatal and neonatal
services which will contribute to the Implementation
of national policies and standards. She is working with
Ann Kennefick, Co-ordinator for Neonatal Haemoglobinopathies
Screening to plan ‘fast-track’ training
programmes for initially midwives across the region
and a review of counseling services. The report will
appear here when
available.
Haemoglobinopathy screening
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