Minister for Health shares insight into newborn screening programme additions

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has spoken out about the ‘progress’ that has been made following the additions to newborn screening programmes. 

Today, October 29, Donnelly published the 2023 Annual Report of the National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC), which is an independent expert group that helps to advise the Minister for Health on proposals for new national population screening programmes, or changes to existing programmes.

This Annual Report has revealed the activities and significant progress achieved in 2023, as well as sharing some priorities for 2024. 

These include the approval of testing for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Programme (NNBSP) by Minister Donnelly. 

The Department of Health has confirmed, “The process for rolling out these additional tests is at an advanced stage, with recruitment due to be completed by the end of 2024”.

Other progress includes the establishment of two subgroups (cancer and newborn screening) to help the development of an evidence-based prioritisation approach towards its work programme.

Sharing his thoughts on the report, Minister Donnelly explained, “The 2023 Annual Report highlights the significant progress achieved by NSAC, and I commend the Committee members on their work to date. Their efforts will have a very real impact in terms of improving people’s lives through screening programmes”.

“In the past year, I approved two recommendations for the expansion of newborn bloodspot screening, and I know these will ultimately make a big difference to the lives and health outcomes of children whose conditions are detected through this screening”.

The Minister added, “The expert opinion of this Committee is invaluable in shaping screening policy in Ireland. Screening saves lives and I look forward to the Committee continuing to provide advice to myself and my Department”.

Chair of the National Screening Advisory Committee, Dr Suzanne Crowe also commented to say, “I am delighted to publish the 2023 NSAC Annual Report, which highlights the many accomplishments in 2023 and also sets the tone for our future endeavours”.

“NSAC continues to build on the foundations laid in previous years and I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to my predecessor, Professor Niall O’Higgins for his leadership in setting up the structures and standards that have underpinned the Committee’s success to date. As Chairperson, I am excited to guide the Committee to further successes in the years to come”.