I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
Any decisions about changes to our screening programmes, such as screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC).
This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms
The expansion of the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NBS) programme is a priority for me. As you know, a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) on the addition of an eleventh condition to the NBS programme, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, is now underway by HIQA. I am advised that the NSAC expect HIQA to complete this process over the coming months and that the HTA will be presented to and considered by the Committee at a meeting before the end of this year.
I look forward to receiving a recommendation from the Committee following their consideration of the HTA once it is available.
