- Singer Jesy Nelson expressed profound outrage following a parliamentary debate where Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson argued against a full national rollout of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) screening, labelling the situation a "postcode lottery" for newborns.
- Nelson's impassioned campaign for universal screening is driven by her personal experience, as her twin daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, were both diagnosed with the rare condition, which causes progressive muscle wastage.
- Despite a petition garnering over 150,000 signatures, the government announced SMA screening would be introduced for 72 per cent of babies from October 2026, three months earlier than planned, as part of in-screening evaluations.
- Nelson criticised this limited rollout, questioning why 28 per cent of babies would still not be screened and highlighting her belief that Ms Hodgson lacked understanding of the life-changing impact of early SMA treatment.
- The Department of Health and Social Care stated that a full screening programme is not yet recommended due to gaps in the evidence base, not cost, and that a large-scale trial is planned to build the necessary evidence.
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