AQW 15404/17-22

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 25/02/2021
Answered On Date: 16/03/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health why, on the NI Direct webpage, the wording 'testing for abnormalities' rather than 'screening for Down's Syndrome' is used.

Answer:

The wording currently used reflects that the testing referred to relates to a number of distinct conditions, and is not specifically for Down’s syndrome.

Please note, my Department has raised the use of language in relation to Down’s syndrome in The Pregnancy Book and on the NI Direct Webpage with the Public Health Agency (PHA). PHA is working to re-write relevant guidance in this regard, and we anticipate that this will be updated soon.