Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if she will take steps with the NHS to introduce pre-natal treatment for foetal Spinal Muscular Atrophy where a positive pre-natal test has been received.

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.