In this section
The Newborn Screening and Willink laboratories together are responsible for blood spot screening of all newborns within Greater Manchester, Lancashire and South Cumbria (around 8% of the births in England).
The commissioning of these services falls under the remit of the Greater Manchester, Lancashire and (for South Cumbria) Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS England Local Area Teams. We analyse approximately 60,000 samples per year.
This website is intended primarily for health professionals. If you are a parent and you require further information about screening, please visit the main NHS website.
Repertoire
The Newborn Screening Laboratory is part of the Clinical Biochemistry Department within the Division of Laboratory Medicine (Clinical and Scientific Services).
We perform all of the first line analytical tests for Congenital Hypothyroidism, Cystic Fibrosis and Sickle Cell.
The Willink Laboratory performs the analytical tests for the six inherited metabolic diseases: PKU, MCADD, GA1, HCU, IVA and MSUD.
Newborn Screening Laboratory staff also undertake all of the general clerical, administrative and reporting functions associated with the screening programme. In addition to newborn blood spot screening we also provide a specialist endocrinology service.
Location
The newborn screening laboratory is located within Genetic Medicine on the 6th floor of Saint Mary’s Hospital. Visitors should report to the Genetics reception.
Newborn Screening Laboratory
6th Floor, Genetic Medicine
Saint Mary’s Hospital
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
Opening hours and contact details
The newborn screening office is open Monday-Friday from 9-5pm, excluding bank holidays.
Please contact Child Health Records for results or consult the Failsafe system.
For general screening enquiries, please call us on:
- Telephone: 0161 70 12262
- E-mail: mft.nbsl@nhs.net
An answer machine may be in operation for part of the day whilst staff complete urgent tasks. Be assured that all messages are followed up. Please provide a name, contact number and baby’s NHS number (if applicable).
For specific enquires related to the metabolic newborn screening tests contact the Willink Laboratory on 0161 70 18504.
Key personnel
| Name | Position | Tel |
| Beverly Hird | Director of Newborn Screening and Consultant Biochemist | 0161 701 2265 |
| Claire Manfredonia | Principal Clinical Biochemist | 0161 701 2265 |
| Catherine Field/Marlena Gozdzik | Chief Biomedical Scientists | 0161 701 2265 |
| Neera Jones | Administrator | 0161 701 2262 |
Willink Biochemical Genetics Laboratory
The Willink laboratory is located adjacent to the newborn screening laboratory, within Genetic Medicine on the 6th floor of Saint Mary’s Hospital and is part of the Genetics Directorate (Saint Mary’s Division)
The Willink laboratory performs the analytical tests for PKU, MCADD and from 2012 for four additional inherited metabolic conditions: GA1, HCU, IVA and MSUD.
For specific enquires related to the metabolic newborn screening tests contact the Willink Laboratory on 0161 70 18504.
See further information on the Willink laboratory.
(Last reviewed June 2023)