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| Criticism over NHS Down's syndrome test availability | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A new screening test for Down's syndrome is still not available across the Welsh NHS, six years after guidelines said it should be. | A new screening test for Down's syndrome is still not available across the Welsh NHS, six years after guidelines said it should be. |
| In 2008 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said all pregnant women should be offered the ultrasound scan and blood test. | In 2008 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said all pregnant women should be offered the ultrasound scan and blood test. |
| The Conservatives said it was "grossly unfair" that only patients in north Wales could be screened on the NHS. | The Conservatives said it was "grossly unfair" that only patients in north Wales could be screened on the NHS. |
| Welsh ministers said introducing the test had been "challenging". | Welsh ministers said introducing the test had been "challenging". |
| The combined ultrasound and blood test identifies anomalies in foetal chromosomes, which includes Down's syndrome. | The combined ultrasound and blood test identifies anomalies in foetal chromosomes, which includes Down's syndrome. |
| 'Invasive' | 'Invasive' |
| North Wales Conservative AM Antoinette Sandbach said the 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". | North Wales Conservative AM Antoinette Sandbach said the 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," she said. | "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," she said. |
| In a written answer to Ms Sandbach, Health Minister Mark Drakeford said the screening was being introduced in a "phased manner". | In a written answer to Ms Sandbach, Health Minister Mark Drakeford said the screening was being introduced in a "phased manner". |
| "Implementing this screening test is complex and has proved challenging for health boards," he said. | "Implementing this screening test is complex and has proved challenging for health boards," he said. |
| Mr Drakeford said the additional work required more from midwives, obstetrics and radiology departments, together with upgraded radiology information management system software. | Mr Drakeford said the additional work required more from midwives, obstetrics and radiology departments, together with upgraded radiology information management system software. |
| "These logistics have taken some health boards time to work through," he added. | "These logistics have taken some health boards time to work through," he added. |