In Great Britain, the UK National Screening Committee,which advises health authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, has published its recommendations for generalising non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS).
British public NHS (National Health Service) hospitals are advised to offer NIPs to pregnant women at risk of giving birth to a child with Down syndrome. The test has yet to be approved by Public Health Minister, Jane Ellison, before it can be offered to future mothers.
NIPS is marketed by British laboratory, Premaitha Health, and is already available in private hospitals at a cost of £400.00. The cost of this test to the NHS has yet to be confirmed.
BBC (14/01/2016) – Daily Mail (14/01/2016)