§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the benefits of early diagnosis of cystic fibrosis; and if he will make a statement. [6083]
§ Mr. HoramCystic fibrosis is one of many conditions which will be examined by the national screening committee to determine whether a national screening programme is appropriate and, if so, what level of priority that should have.
§ Mr. LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make it policy for all new-born babies to be tested for cystic fibrosis; [6084]
(2) if he will estimate the additional cost to the NHS of introducing routine testing for cystic fibrosis in all new-born babies. [6085]
§ Mr. HoramCystic fibrosis is one of several inherited diseases which have been identified as potential extensions to the existing antenatal and neonatal screening programmes. The national health service executive research and development health technology assessment programme has already commissioned a systematic review of cystic fibrosis screening. The review will examine both genetic screening, which can identify couples at risk of an affected birth, and new-born screening, which aims to advance the clinical diagnosis in order to improve prognosis. The screening effectiveness, cost and acceptability to parents will be considered as part of the review.
The review is due to be completed during 1997, after which a report will be presented to the national screening committee, which is chaired by the chief medical officer. Evidence from these reports, and evidence from any other robust research, will be considered by the committee before making any recommendations to the NHS executive board and Ministers about changes to the existing antenatal and neonatal screening programmes.