Screening for SMA to be introduced across the whole of England following Jesy’s campaigning

ALL babies in England will get free NHS tests for the muscle wasting disease suffered by Jesy Nelson’s twins following a campaign by the Little Mix star.

In a breakthrough rule change, screening for spinal muscular atrophy will be added to the newborn blood spot test from October.

The Department of Health announced on Thursday that the national newborn screening programme for SMA will be rolled out across England as part of an evaluation programme from the end of this year.

Hundreds of thousands of babies will be screened as part of the simple heel prick blood test shortly after birth.

Nelson said: “After years of campaigning, it means so much to see the heel prick test for SMA begin rolling out from October, with implementation continuing throughout 2027 until every newborn screening laboratory across the UK is offering the test.

“Today is a day of hope.

“Knowing that future families will have access to early diagnosis and the opportunity for the best possible outcomes is something I’m incredibly proud to have supported.

“This is a victory for every family affected by SMA. Whilst it can’t change the future of our children, I know it marks the beginning of a brighter future for future SMA families.”

SMA UK, the charity which Jesy is a Patron of have also posted about the news:

This achievement belongs to the entire SMA community.

To every family who has shared their experiences, every healthcare professional who has championed early diagnosis, every researcher who has generated the evidence, every policymaker who has listened, every partner organisation to has campaigned alongside us and every supporter who has stood alongside us, thank you.

We are also grateful to Jesy Nelson for helping to shine a spotlight on SMA and the importance of newborn screening. Her willingness to share her family's experience has helped raise awareness among the wider public and has added an important voice to a campaign that has been driven by the SMA community, clinicians, researchers and supporters over many years.