FOI Request
- Disclosure ID
- FOI/03509
- Request Date
- January 15, 2020
- Subject
- Non Invasive Prenatal Testing
- Description
In each of the individual calendar years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 please tell me.
1). Did your trust offer the NIPT (Non Invasive Prenatal Testing) for Down’s syndrome, also known as cfDNA screening to expectant mothers for FREE? Yes or No.
2). If no, did you offer the NIPT within the trust, but only if the patient was willing to pay?
3). How much was that NIPT?
4). If no to all of the above did you mention NIPT as an option but that it was only available outside the Trust, i.e. by private providers not connected with the Trust?
- Response
1). No, we do not carry out NIPT at our Trust.
2). No
3). N/A
4). Yes we do mention this as an option especially if women have an NHS screening test indicating an increase chance for Down’s Edwards or Patau’s syndrome, before considering a diagnostic test which carries a risk of miscarriage.
Women can access the private sector for the NIPT in preference to the NHS test, it is about choice. We would always encourage our women to consider the NHS first trimester screening test initially.