Island to offer new prenatal Down's test

Minister confirms UK pathway will be followed

Pregnant women in the Island will be offered a new, non-invasive prenatal test for Down's syndrome - once the system is up and running in the UK.

The position was confirmed in Tynwald today by Health Minister Kate Beecroft.

The cell-free DNA test has a better detection rate for chromosome  abnormalities than the existing ultrasound scan method.

As a result, fewer women will need invasive amniocentesis tests to confirm the disorder.

Mrs Beecroft says the Island needs to streamline the introduction of cfDNA testing with provision in the north-west of England: