In this section
Accreditation
The Newborn Screening Laboratory is accredited as part of Clinical Biochemistry and the Willink Laboratory as part of the Genomic Diagnostics Laboratory (along with molecular genetics and cytogenetics). Both laboratories have full UKAS accreditation status.
External Quality Assessment
Both laboratories participate in the combined UK NEQAS scheme for Newborn Screening and the CDC EQA scheme. The Newborn Screening Laboratory also takes part in the UK NEQAS Newborn Sickle Screening scheme.
Governance arrangements
Internal Reporting
The Director of Newborn Screening is Chair of the Trust Newborn Blood Spot Operational Group. Membership of this group includes Screening Midwives, Matrons for Antenatal and Community Services, NICU representatives, Screening Link Health Visitors and Child Health Lead in addition to representatives from the NBS and Willink Laboratories. The Operational Groups meet quarterly and report to the Trust Antenatal and Newborn Screening Assurance Committee. The Director of Newborn Screening and other senior staff from the NBS laboratory are also members of the Antenatal and Newborn Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Operational Group.
External Reporting
The Director of Newborn Screening reports to both the NHS England Greater Manchester Antenatal and Newborn Screening Board and the Lancashire and South Cumbria Antenatal and Newborn Screening Board. Quarterly reports including performance against KPIs and National Newborn Blood Spot Programme Standards and a summary of the clinical incidents identified by the NBS laboratory are produced and presented at both of these boards.
National standards
See Guidance and standards for NHS newborn blood spot screening
(Last reviewed June 2023)