Antenatal and newborn screening KPI data: Q4 summary factsheets
Updated 16 June 2022
© Crown copyright 2022
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-screening-programmes-kpi-reports-2020-to-2021/antenatal-and-newborn-screening-kpi-data-q4-summary-factsheets
Please be aware that this data covers the time period through the COVID-19 pandemic. Provider performance should therefore be interpreted with caution.
In addition to this, some providers were justifiably not able to make timely data returns or validate their data in this period. We recommend looking at the historical trend data of services before the COVID-19 pandemic to help interpret the data.
1. Fetal anomaly screening
1.1 KPI FA2: coverage: fetal anomaly ultrasound
National performance of FA2 in Q3 2020 to 2021 was 99.2%, the same as the previous quarter. FA2 is collected 6 months (2 quarters) in arrears. The trend graph below shows that England FA2 performance has remained above the achievable threshold of 95% since 1 April 2017.
All screening services who submitted data (139 out of 142) met the achievable threshold of 95% and 35 of them reported performance of 100%.
Quarter 3 performance
| Reporting period | 1 October to 31 December 2020 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 138,038 |
| Denominator | 139,154 |
| Performance | 99.2% |
| Completeness of data | 97.9% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 99.1% |
| Midlands and East | 99.2% |
| North | 99.4% |
| South | 99.1% |
| England | 99.2% |
1.2 KPI FA3
There is no intention to publish FA3 by individual maternity service. We are reviewing the data with the aim of publishing it national in the future.
In Q4 138 out of 142 screening services submitted data.
1.3 KPI FA4
FA4 was introduced in 2020 to 2021. New KPIs are not published in the first year of data collection. This time is used to improve the data quality and completeness, by revising the definition, adding clarity and / or setting thresholds as required. After this time, we will review the data with the aim of publishing it from the following year.
2. Infectious diseases in pregnancy screening
2.1 KPI ID1: HIV coverage
National performance of ID1 in Q4 was 99.8%, remaining at the highest ever level recorded for this KPI. The trend graph below shows that England ID1 performance has remained above the achievable threshold of 99% since 1 April 2017.
All screening services who submitted data (141 out of 142) met the acceptable threshold of 95%. 140 screening services reached the achievable threshold of 99%, and 26 of them reported performance of 100%.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 173,815 |
| Denominator | 174,169 |
| Performance | 99.8% |
| Completeness of data | 99.3% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 99.9% |
| Midlands and East | 99.8% |
| North | 99.8% |
| South | 99.8% |
| England | 99.8% |
2.2 KPI ID2: diagnosis/intervention: timely assessment of women with hepatitis B
National performance of ID2 in Q4 was 85.6%. The trend graph below shows that England ID2 performance has remained above the acceptable threshold of 70% since 1 April 2017.
141 out of 142 screening services submitted data, including 60 services that reported zero women. Of the remaining 81 services, 67 met the acceptable threshold. ID2 is a small number KPI, therefore the data should be interpreted with caution.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 161 |
| Denominator | 188 |
| Performance | 85.6% |
| Completeness of data | 99.3% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 90.9% |
| Midlands and East | 78.3% |
| North | 87.2% |
| South | 92.0% |
| England | 85.6% |
2.3 KPI ID3: coverage: hepatitis B
National performance of ID3 in Q4 was 99.8%, the same as the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England ID3 performance has remained above the achievable threshold of 99% since 1 April 2018 when it was first introduced.
All screening services who submitted data (141 out of 142) met the acceptable threshold of 95%. 140 screening services reached the achievable threshold of 99%, and 26 of them reported performance of 100%.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 173,822 |
| Denominator | 174,166 |
| Performance | 99.8% |
| Completeness of data | 99.3% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 99.9% |
| Midlands and East | 99.8% |
| North | 99.8% |
| South | 99.8% |
| England | 99.8% |
2.4 KPI ID4: coverage: syphilis
National performance of ID4 in Q4 was 99.8%, the same as the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England ID4 performance has remained above the achievable threshold of 99% since 1 April 2018 when it was first introduced.
All screening services who submitted data (141 out of 142) met the acceptable threshold of 95%. 140 screening services reached the achievable threshold of 99%, and 26 of them reported performance of 100%.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 173,823 |
| Denominator | 174,171 |
| Performance | 99.8% |
| Completeness of data | 99.3% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 99.9% |
| Midlands and East | 99.8% |
| North | 99.8% |
| South | 99.8% |
| England | 99.8% |
3. Sickle cell and thalassaemia screening
3.1 KPI ST1: coverage: antenatal screening
National performance of ST1 in Q4 was 99.8%, remaining at the the highest ever level recorded for this KPI. The trend graph below shows that England ST1 performance has remained above the achievable threshold of 99% since 1 April 2017.
All screening services who submitted data (141 out of 142) met the acceptable threshold of 95%. 136 screening services reached the achievable threshold of 99%, and 27 of them reported performance of 100%.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 173,731 |
| Denominator | 174,158 |
| Performance | 99.8% |
| Completeness of data | 99.3% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 99.9% |
| Midlands and East | 99.7% |
| North | 99.7% |
| South | 99.7% |
| England | 99.8% |
3.2 KPI ST2: test: timeliness of antenatal screening
National performance of ST2 in Q4 was 57.3%, higher lower than the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England ST2 performance had dropped below above the acceptable threshold of 50% for Q1 and Q2 of 2020 to 2021 but was back above the acceptable threshold in Q3 and Q4.
Data suggests that while services were maintained, performance was affected for this KPI during COVID-19. This is not unexpected as technical guidance in place at the time stated that services could offer screening later than 10 weeks.
139 out of 142 screening services submitted data for this KPI for Q4.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 100,542 |
| Denominator | 175,520 |
| Performance | 57.3% |
| Completeness of data | 97.9% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 57.2% |
| Midlands and East | 54.9% |
| North | 60.9% |
| South | 56.5% |
| England | 57.3% |
3.3 KPI ST3: test: completion of family origin questionnaire (FOQ)
National performance of ST3 in Q4 was 98.0%, slightly lower than the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England ST3 performance has remained above the acceptable threshold of 95% since 1 April 2017.
All screening services who submitted data (141 out of 142) met the acceptable threshold of 95%. 62 screening services reached the achievable threshold of 99%, and 20 of them reported performance of 100%.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 174,267 |
| Denominator | 177,898 |
| Performance | 98.0% |
| Completeness of data | 99.3% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 99.3% |
| Midlands and East | 98.1 % |
| North | 97.3% |
| South | 97.4% |
| England | 98.0% |
3.4 KPI ST4a: referral: timely offer of prenatal diagnosis (PND) to women at risk of having an infant with sickle cell disease or thalassaemia
National performance of ST4a in Q4 was 52.9%, the highest ever level recorded for this KPI. The national trend graph below shows the ST4a performance since the KPI was first published from 1 April 2019. Thresholds have not yet been set for this KPI.
141 out of 142 screening services submitted data, including 65 services that reported zero women at risk.
We have identified quality issues with the submitted data, therefore we recommend that regional performance is not compared. We share screening service level data with NHS England and NHS Improvement and we’re reviewing this KPI with the aim of improving data quality.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 267 |
| Denominator | 505 |
| Performance | 52.9% |
| Completeness of data | 99.3% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 55.5% |
| Midlands and East | 49.6% |
| North | 56.5% |
| South | 38.9% |
| England | 52.9% |
3.5 KPI ST4b: referral: timely offer of prenatal diagnosis (PND) to couples at risk of having an infant with sickle cell disease or thalassaemia
National performance of ST4b in Q4 was 71.4%, the highest ever level recorded for this KPI. The national trend graph below shows the ST4b performance since the KPI was first published from 1 April 2019. Thresholds have not yet been set for this KPI.
141 screening services submitted data, including 71 services that reported zero couples at risk.
We have identified quality issues with the submitted data, therefore we recommend that regional performance is not compared. We share screening service level data with NHS England and NHS Improvement and we’re reviewing this KPI with the aim of improving data quality.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 172 |
| Denominator | 241 |
| Performance | 71.4% |
| Completeness of data | 99.3% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 76.9% |
| Midlands and East | 65.2% |
| North | 69.8% |
| South | 66.7% |
| England | 71.4% |
4. Newborn blood spot screening
4.1 KPI NB1: coverage of CCG responsibility at birth
National performance of NB1 in Q4 was 97.0%, slightly higher than the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England NB1 performance has remained above the acceptable threshold of 95% since 1 April 2017.
All 135 CCGs submitted data, and 115 met the acceptable threshold of 95%.
38 CCGs reached the achievable threshold of 99%, and 6 of them reported performance of 100%.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 128,948 |
| Denominator | 132,973 |
| Performance | 97.0% |
| Completeness of data | 100% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 97.1% |
| Midlands and East | 96.6% |
| North | 97.0% |
| South | 97.3% |
| England | 97.0% |
4.2 KPI NB2: test: quality of the blood spot sample
National performance of NB2 in Q4 was 2.3%, the same as the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England NB2 performance has again increased above the acceptable threshold of 2%. NB2 is a KPI where a lower performance is better.
Due to COVID-19, during the Q1 (April to June 2020) time period newborn screening laboratories were instructed to relax blood spot acceptance criteria on samples that would normally have been rejected and to accept day 4 samples. Together these factors are likely to explain the reduced ‘avoidable repeat’ rate observed during Q1.
141 out of 142 screening services submitted data, 67 met the acceptable threshold and 28 met the achievable threshold of 1%.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 3,089 |
| Denominator | 137,071 |
| Performance | 2.3% |
| Completeness of data | 99.3% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 2.0% |
| Midlands and East | 1.7% |
| North | 3.1% |
| South | 2.2% |
| England | 2.3% |
4.3 KPI NB4: coverage of movers in
National performance of NB4 in Q4 was 87.6%. The trend graph below shows that England NB4 performance has remained below the acceptable threshold of 95% since 1 April 2017.
132 out of 135 CCGs submitted data, and 37 met the acceptable threshold. 13 CCGs reached the achievable threshold of 99%.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 10,995 |
| Denominator | 12,545 |
| Performance | 87.6% |
| Completeness of data | 97.8% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 81.6% |
| Midlands and East | 90.1% |
| North | 89.6% |
| South | 89.9% |
| England | 87.6% |
5. Newborn hearing screening
5.1 KPI NH1: coverage
National performance of NH1 in Q4 was 98.6%. The trend graph below shows that England NH1 performance has met the acceptable threshold of 98% for the second time since Q4 2019 to 2020.
During the COVID-19 pandemic NHSP encouraged services to continue screening where safe to do so in line with national standards and the NHSP technical guidance. However, in some areas screening was delayed due to COVID-19 and we have seen lower coverage as a result. This particularly affected community services where Health Visitors suspended home visits.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 136,672 |
| Denominator | 138,679 |
| Performance | 98.6% |
| Completeness of data | 100% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 98.0% |
| Midlands and East | 98.6% |
| North | 98.3% |
| South | 99.1% |
| England | 98.6% |
5.2 KPI NH2: diagnosis/intervention – time from screening outcome to attendance at an audiological assessment appointment
National performance of NH2 in Q4 was 91.9%, the highest ever level recorded for this KPI. The trend graph below shows that England NH2 performance dropped significantly in Q4 2019 to 2020 and Q1 2020 to 2021, however since then it has risen again to above the acceptable threshold of 90%.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in line with NHSE guidance, many audiology departments closed. This resulted in a delay in the assessment of babies referred from the screen in most services.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 2,910 |
| Denominator | 3,168 |
| Performance | 91.9% |
| Completeness of data | 100% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 92.3% |
| Midlands and East | 90.8% |
| North | 91.7% |
| South | 93.6% |
| England | 91.9% |
6. Newborn and infant physical examination screening
6.1 KPI NP1: coverage
National performance of NP1 in Q4 was 97.0%. The trend graph below shows that England NP1 performance has remained above the acceptable threshold of 95% since 1 July 2017.
Out of 131 screening services, 121 met the acceptable threshold and 1 reported zero babies.
9 services met the achievable threshold of 99.5%.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 135,166 |
| Denominator | 139,329 |
| Performance | 97.0% |
| Completeness of data | 100% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 96.6% |
| Midlands and East | 97.3% |
| North | 96.7% |
| South | 97.4% |
| England | 97.0% |
6.2 KPI NP2: diagnosis/intervention: timeliness of intervention for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
National performance of NP2 in Q4 was 36.8%. The trend graph below shows that England NP2 performance has remained below the acceptable threshold of 95% since 1 April 2017.
Out of 131 screening services, 13 reported zero babies. Of the remaining 112 services, 30 met the acceptable threshold. NP2 is a small number KPI, therefore the data should be interpreted with caution.
Quarter 4 performance
| Reporting period | 1 January to 31 March 2021 |
|---|---|
| Numerator | 326 |
| Denominator | 886 |
| Performance | 36.8% |
| Completeness of data | 100% |
| Region | Performance % |
|---|---|
| London | 39.6% |
| Midlands and East | 28.6% |
| North | 41.6% |
| South | 43.3% |
| England | 36.8% |