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Health Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 March 2021

Thursday, 4 March 2021

Questions (228)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

228. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the development and delivery of the world leading newborn screening program promised by the Minister and his predecessor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12373/21]

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Written answers

The National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC) was established in 2019 with the remit to advise the Department of Health and the Minister for Health on all new proposals for screening and on revisions to existing programmes. The expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening programme remains a priority work programme for the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC).

In July 2020, the NSAC approved the application to add ADA-SCID (adenosine deaminase deficiency-severe combined immunodeficiency) to the list of conditions screened under the programme. As Minister I approved this recommendation and the HSE are now preparing for the addition of ADA-SCID to the Programme which will bring the number of conditions that are screened for from eight to nine. The HSE 2021 National Service Plan states:

Ensure the long-term management and implementation processes are in place to support expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme, including Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID).

Across Europe, the approach taken with blood spot screening programmes does vary, with no consensus across countries as to what conditions should or should not be included. Significant variation exists in the number of conditions included for screening, both between countries and between regions within individual countries. For example, the United Kingdom currently screens for nine conditions while Italy recommends over 40 conditions be included in screening. My Department has noted that, historically, the expansion of blood spot screening programmes internationally has occurred following ad hoc consideration of conditions rather than following a structured and transparent approach.

I am committed to ensuring that any expansion of the programme will be safe, ethically robust and evidence based. I have been informed by my Department that the NSAC are currently examining the international evidence in terms of the conditions screened for in existing blood spot screening programmes; the decision making processes that lead to the inclusion of a condition in an individual country’s newborn bloodspot screening programme; and the role of emerging technologies in programme expansion. I am determined to see the foundations laid for the continuous expansion of the programme that maximises health outcomes for newborn babies.

I have requested that the NSAC provide an update on progress and I expect to receive this update in the near future.

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