Newborn Bloodspot Screening Policy
MP 0163/21 - Newborn Bloodspot Screening Policy (pdf 148KB)
Applicable to: This policy is applicable to Health Service Providers that provide maternity, neonatal, clinical specialist and pathology services.
Description: The Newborn Bloodspot Screening Policy (the policy) sets the mandatory requirements that outline roles, responsibilities and reporting requirements for Health Service Providers that provide maternity, neonatal, clinical specialist and pathology services for newborn babies in the WA health system as part of the WA Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program.
The aim of the WA Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program is to improve the health of babies by identifying those at risk of developing a serious condition early, generally before symptoms present.
This policy is consistent with the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council, Newborn Bloodspot Screening National Policy Framework (2018) which provides best practice guidance to deliver newborn blood screening in Australia.
This policy is a mandatory requirement for Health Service Providers under the Public Health Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2)(c) of the Health Services Act 2016.
Date of effect: 11 June 2021
Policy Framework
Public Health
Newborn-Bloodspot-Screening-Procedure (pdf 126KB)
Performance-Indicators-Form (docx 242KB)
WA Newborn Bloodspot eLearning Packages (King Edward Memorial Hospital)
WA Newborn Bloodspot Screening brochure (Health WA)
Your baby's newborn bloodspot screening test (Health WA)
WA Newborn Bloodspot Screening Program (WA Department of Health)
Newborn Bloodspot Screening National Policy Framework (2018)
What is screened in the program (Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care)
Our national decision-making pathway (Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care)
National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases 2020