In-Service Evaluation of SMA Newborn Screening (SENS) - Acceptability Study
The SENS study (Service Evaluation of Newborn Screening for SMA), will assess the acceptability, feasibility, clinical effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of introducing SMA screening into the NHS newborn screening programme. The study is expected to begin in August 2026, with screening starting in October 2026.
This is part of a multi-organisational collaboration to deliver an In-Service Evaluation of SMA newborn screening for the UK National Screening Committee.
Warwick Medical School will lead the acceptability work, in collaboration with King’s College London.
The study will be working with NHS newborn screening laboratories, and patient charity SMA UK. Findings will inform the UK National Screening Committee's decision on whether to add SMA to the national programme.
More details will follow shortly. To find out more please contact
Who is running the study?
The acceptability part of the study is being led by Professor Felicity Boardman and Dr Corinna Clark (University of Warwick), with Dr Jane Chudleigh (King's College, London).
Contact the team at
What is SMA
Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a rare but severe genetic condition which caused progressive muscle weakness. It can be life-threatening in infancy and lead to lifetime disability. New disease-modifying treatments are now available in the UK. They are most effective when given before symptoms appear. This makes newborn screening a potentially life-changing intervention.
What are we doing?
This NIHR-funded study will screen up to 755,000 babies across England for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We will lead the critical work to ensure results reach families at the right time, in the right way.
Interviews with families who undergo screening, including those who receive a positive diagnosis, will generate evidence on how and when parents want results communicated to them. This will inform national implementation and roll-out.
A team at the University of Oxford will be leading on the assessment of feasibility and clinical effectiveness, and researchers at the University of Sheffield are looking at cost-effectiveness.
News and Press
DHSC Press release: Every baby in England to get life-saving genetic test from birth
Newborn screening: why clear communication matters as testing expands (The Conversation)
UK National Screening Committee blog announcing In-Service Evaluation
Oxford University Press Release 15 May 2026
When SMA hits the headlines: Holding space for parents and adults in our community – UK SMA blog post by Luis Canto E Castro Jan 2026Read more about our previous work on SMA screening acceptability
Felicity and Corinna conducted the largest ever study of SMA screening acceptability between 2023 and 2025. Read about this study here.
