Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing routine pre-natal testing for Spinal Muscular Atrophy for all pregnancies.

No assessment has been made of pre-natal testing and treatment for spinal muscular atrophy. However, we refer the Hon Member to the announcement made on post-natal screening for spinal muscular atrophy by the Department on 16 July 2026, which is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/every-baby-in-england-to-get-life-saving-genetic-test-from-birth

The new born heel prick test is routinely carried out by health visitors or community midwives on day five after birth. No assessment has been made of the merits of carrying out the test at day one.