Six years after NICE recommended a new screening test for Down’s syndrome on the Welsh NHS, it is not accessible to the majority of Welsh patients.
In June 2008, NICE said that all pregnant women should be offered a combined ultrasound scan and blood test for anomalies in foetal chromosomes, which includes Down’s syndrome.
Welsh Conservatives today are demanding to know why the Welsh Government has been so slow in complying with guidance on improvements to Down’s syndrome screening.
The test has finally been introduced in North Wales, but patients in the rest of Wales can only access the test if they pay to go privately.
The Welsh Government has defended taking over six years and counting to introduce the test in Welsh hospitals, saying its introduction is ‘complex’, ‘challenging’ and taking ‘time to work through’.
Antoinette Sandbach, Assembly Member for North Wales, said, “More than six years after recommendations to the Welsh NHS for ultrasound screening for Down’s syndrome, the only way expectant parents can access the test is to go privately.
“In Wales, couples classed as being high risk for carrying a child with Down’s syndrome should be able to access a simple test on the NHS, just as patients in England can.
“Many expectant parents will be worried that they can’t access this latest advance in prenatal screening unless they can afford to go privately.
“This test can provide an end to uncertainty for expectant parents who may be worried that their unborn child may be at risk of developing Down’s syndrome.
“While I am pleased for my constituents, that finally the ultrasound test has been introduced in North Wales, patients in the rest of Wales still face the same dilemma, either to go private or face an out-dated and far more invasive test on the NHS.
“I hope the new Minister will work closely with Public Health Wales and local health boards to make the new screening test available as soon as possible to Welsh patients.”
Darren Millar AM, Shadow Minister for Health, said, “It is grossly unfair that six years after it was recommended for use on the NHS, only private patients in Wales can actually access this screening.
“Under Labour, the Welsh NHS is years behind the curve, forcing vulnerable expectant parents to pay privately for services they would get for free in England.
“Introducing the new screening across Wales has clearly been more challenging due to the legacy of Labour’s record-breaking budget cuts.
“Having a baby can be a stressful time for couples and the Welsh Labour Government giving them more to worry about is the last thing they need.
“Welsh Labour Ministers must get a grip and speed up the implementation of this test to support expectant parents and not add to their stresses in the early stages of pregnancy.”
