Good news · Health & science · 24 October 2026
Welsh Government funds new newborn screening lab
Welsh Government has announced a £1.21m investment for a new laboratory at University Hospital Wales. The facility will expand the All-Wales Newborn Bloodspot Screening Service to include Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type 1.
Welsh Government has announced a £1.21m investment to establish a new biochemistry laboratory at University Hospital Wales. The funding includes an additional £529,000 specifically to add Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type 1 to the list of conditions screened for under the All-Wales Newborn Bloodspot Screening Service.
The new laboratory is designed to provide the space and infrastructure needed for future tests, including potential screening for SMA and SCID. Currently, the programme tests for 9 rare but serious diseases. According to the announcement, early detection through screening allows for early treatment, which can improve health and prevent severe disability or death.
Dr Sikha de Souza, Public Health Consultant for Public Health Wales, said: "Newborn blood spot screening helps to give babies the best start in life."
Figures published with the announcement show that 28,000 babies born in Wales are screened per year. The screening test involves taking a small blood sample from the baby’s heel, ideally between days 4-6 of life. The test is usually carried out by a midwife as part of routine post-natal care.
Written by StreetOwl from Welsh Government’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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