Blood spot test extended as of 1 January 2017 to include two more disorders As of 1 January 2017, the disorders alpha and beta thalassaemia will be added to the neonatal blood spot (‘heel prick’) screening programme.
Increasing number of girls immunised against HPV In 2014 the number of girls who were immunised against the human papilloma virus (HPV) rose. This virus can cause cervical cancer later in life.