What consideration has the Welsh Government given to introducing a routine newborn-screening programme for spinal muscular atrophy?
Answered by Cabinet Minister for Health and Care | Answered on 27/08/2026
Wales is not currently participating in the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in-service evaluation. Improvements to infrastructure are required within the Newborn Bloodspot Screening Wales Programme before additional conditions can be safely introduced.
My officials are working closely with NHS partners on proposals to establish the requirements for modernising and future-proofing newborn screening infrastructure in Wales, to ensure we are well placed to respond to future screening developments and recommendations.