Archbishop Welcomes Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening for All

As a result of this programme, all women receiving antenatal care in England will be offered screening for the serious genetic diseases sickle cell and thalassaemia.

Meeting a promise set out in the 2000 NHS Plan, this service joins the already established newborn screening programme which ensures that every baby born is offered screening for sickle cell. This is now identifying 350 affected babies every year. In England, sickle cell affects an estimated 13,500 people with an estimated 240,000 carriers; this makes it the most common genetic disease in the England – affecting more people Cystic Fibrosis

The Most Reverend & Rt, Hon Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, who has been Chair of the Screening Programme since 2001 commented:

"I whole-heartedly congratulate the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme as it formally celebrates the full roll out of antenatal and newborn screening.

"By offering screening to all pregnant women and babies, we can now support couples to make informed decisions and also ensure that babies receive the immediate care they need. I am delighted that sickle cell and thalassaemia are finally getting the recognition they deserve as serious genetic diseases affecting some of the most marginalised groups in our society. This is an important step in both providing better care and tackling serious health inequalities. The next challenge is to ensure that effective screening is backed by high quality care for those living with the diseases.  I will continue to support the Programme's efforts and the invaluable work it does. Together with newborn screening, these programmes together form the world's first linked antenatal and newborn screening programme – a model for genetic screening which has already attracted interest internationally."

Dr Allison Streetly, Director of the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme, explains:

"Realising this goal means that every pregnant woman in England, no matter where she lives, will now be offered screening for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.  This is huge progress considering that less than ten years ago screening was rarely available even in areas where sickle cell and thalassaemia were common. Screening identifies not only people with the disease but also genetic carriers, ensuring in the long-term, individuals and couples will have the option of making informed decisions before they have a child."