Antenatal and newborn screening: escalation process for non submission of evidence
Updated 24 August 2021
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The screening service should provide evidence to the screening quality assurance service (SQAS) at least 11 weeks before the QA visit date.
SQAS should follow the escalation process below if evidence has not been provided by 10 weeks minus one day before the visit. The process is described below in text format and as an illustration.
1. Send reminder to local screening co-ordinator
SQAS sends reminder to local screening co-ordinator 11 weeks before QA visit date.
2. Is evidence received by 10 weeks before visit?
Yes: The evidence is used at QA visit. End of pathway.
No: Send second reminder and absolute deadline of 7 weeks before visit date to local screening service at 10 weeks minus one day before visit date. Contact head of midwifery by phone and follow up by email, quoting the absolute deadline. Go to question 3.
3. Is evidence received by 7 weeks minus 2 days before visit?
Yes: Evidence received and used at QA visit. End of pathway.
No: If proforma or outstanding evidence is not received by the absolute deadline, SQAS should inform the medical director and the head of midwifery within 48 hours of the missed deadline. Also inform the commissioner and the screening and immunisation team (SIT).
Make an immediate recommendation at the QA visit that the programme should provide the outstanding information, or confirmation it does not exist, within 7 days, along with an agreed date for discussion with SQAS. End of pathway.
