Antenatal Screening Wales Annual Report 2022-24
A report has been published by Antenatal Screening Wales (ASW) highlighting the work they have undertaken from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2024.
The purpose of ASW in Wales is:
"to detect defined conditions, present in either the mother or baby that are likely to have an effect on the health of either, and for which an effective intervention or treatment is available."
ASW was formed to establish policies, standards and a performance management framework for antenatal screening delivered by maternity services in Wales. All Health Boards in Wales have adopted ASW policies, standard and protocols for antenatal screening.
Since 2022, ASW has been at the forefront of enhancing healthcare practices across Wales through the implementation of streamlined approaches, including the development of comprehensive policies, standards, and protocols. These are reviewed by advisory groups composed of experts in the relevant field. To ensure adherence to these standards, biannual performance indicators are rigorously assessed every six months, providing a clear measure of Health Board performance.
All pregnant women resident in Wales are to be offered, in every pregnancy:
- Antenatal screening for HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis
- Antenatal screening for blood group, RhD status and antibodies
- Antenatal screening for sickle cell and thalassaemia
- An early pregnancy dating scan and a fetal anomaly scan
- Antenatal screening for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome.
These tests should be performed in early pregnancy, by around 12 weeks if the woman presents for antenatal care before this gestation.
A number of education resources for professionals have been updated, implemented or are in development by ASW, including:
- Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome e-learning
- Communicable Diseases – HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B e-learning
- Sickle cell and thalassaemia e-learning
- Blood group and antibodies e-learning
- Cell free fetal DNA cascade training.
ASW is enthusiastic about continuing its collaboration with Health Boards and supporting organisations to ensure the ongoing success of the antenatal screening programs.
Antenatal Screening Wales Annual Report 2022-24
Browne Jacobson endorses every improvement made to NHS maternity services in the UK. If you would like further information regarding our services, please visit our Maternity Services Resources Hub.
If we can assist your NHS Trust or healthcare organisation to look at ways to improve patient care, please get in touch.
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