Thames Valley Pilot Study extends beyond the Thames Valley and finds a new name, due to enthusiasm for newborn screening for SMA in other places

The Thames Valley Pilot Study for newborn screening for SMA has had to be renamed due to its expanding focus across a wider geographical footprint. It is now known as the “SMA Newborn Screening Study”. Following a call for expressions of interest via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), a number of new Trusts came forward to join the study. Four Wessex Trusts are now taking part in the pilot on a self-funded basis due to a strong desire to offer newborn screening for SMA to local babies. Leicestershire is also in the process of joining the pilot which will mean it can offer newborn screening for SMA to 25,000 babies a year via its largest hospital, Leicester Royal Infirmary.