Research and analysis

Antenatal and newborn screening KPI data: Q1 summary factsheets (1 April to 30 June 2022) HTML

Updated 23 March 2023

Applies to England

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.

This report should be read in conjunction with the full KPI data tables published each quarter.

1. Fetal anomaly screening

1.1 KPI FA2: coverage: fetal anomaly ultrasound

National performance of FA2 (see standard FASP-SO2) in Q4 2021 to 2022 was 98.7%, lower than 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 2019.

All screening services who submitted data (137 out of 139) met the acceptable threshold of 90%, with 133 meeting the achievable threshold of 95% and 17 of them reporting performance of 100%.

Activity for Q4 is presented by NHS regions. Coverage ranged from 98.5 % in the North East and Yorkshire to 99.0% in the North West.

FA2

Quarter 4 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 January to 31 March 2022 141,050 142,879 98.7% 98.6%
Region  Performance %
East of England 98.9%
London 98.6%
Midlands 98.8%
North East and Yorkshire 98.5%
North West 99.0%
South East 98.7%
South West 98.5%
England 98.7%

1.2 KPI FA3

There is no intention to publish FA3 (see standard FASP-S01) by individual maternity service. We are reviewing the data with the aim of publishing it nationally in the future.

In Q1 all 139 screening services submitted data.

1.3 KPI FA4: combined samples

FA4 (see standard FASP-SO6) 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.

In Q1 2022 to 2023, national performance of FA4 for inadequate combined samples was 4.1%. FA4 is a KPI where a lower performance is better.

All 22 FASP laboratories submitted data, for a total of 138 maternity services.

FA4

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 4,389 107,950 4.1% 100%
Region Performance %
East of England  3.5%
London 2.8%
Midlands 3.9%
North East and Yorkshire 5.3%
North West 5.2%
South East 5.6%
South West 2.2%
England 4.1%

1.4 KPI FA4: quadruple samples

FA4 (see standard FASP-SO6) 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.

In Q1 2022 to 2023, national performance of FA4 for inadequate quadruple samples was 6.9%. FA4 is a KPI where a lower performance is better.

All 22 FASP laboratories submitted data, for a total of 138 maternity services.

FA4

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 979 14,217 6.9% 100%
Region Performance %
East of England  4.6%
London 4.0%
Midlands 6.1%
North East and Yorkshire 10.7%
North West 5.4%
South East 10.2%
South West 11.6%
England 6.9%

2. Infectious diseases in pregnancy screening

2.1 KPI ID1: HIV coverage

National performance of ID1 (see standard IDPS-S01) in Q1 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 2019.

Out of all screening services who submitted data (139 out of 139) 138 met the achievable threshold of 99%, and 24 of them reported performance of 100%.

ID1

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 157,550 157,917 99.8% 100%
Region Performance %
East of England  99.8%
London 99.9%
Midlands 99.7%
North East and Yorkshire 99.8%
North West 99.8%
South East 99.6%
South West 99.7%
England 99.8%

2.2 KPI ID2: diagnosis/intervention: timely assessment of women with hepatitis B

National performance of ID2 (see standard IDPS-S06) in Q1 was 86.9%. The trend graph below shows that England ID2 performance has remained above the acceptable threshold of 70% since 1 April 2019.

All 139 screening services submitted data, including 68 services that reported zero women. Of the remaining 71 services, 56 met the acceptable threshold. ID2 is a small number KPI, therefore the data should be interpreted with caution.

ID2

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 166 191 86.9% 100%
Region Performance %
East of England  84.2%
London 84.5%
Midlands 88.9%
North East and Yorkshire 90.0%
North West 89.2%
South East 84.2%
South West 91.7%
England 86.9%

2.3 KPI ID3: coverage: hepatitis B

National performance of ID3 (see standard IDPS-S02) in Q1 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 2019.

Out of all screening services who submitted data (139 out of 139) 138 met the achievable threshold of 99%, and 24 of them reported performance of 100%.

ID3

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 157,547 157,911 99.8% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  99.8%
London 99.9%
Midlands 99.8%
North East and Yorkshire 99.8%
North West 99.8%
South East 99.6%
South West 99.7%
England 99.8%

2.4 KPI ID4: coverage: syphilis

National performance of ID4 (see standard IDPS-S03) in Q1 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 2019.

Out of all screening services who submitted data (139 out of 139) 138 met the achievable threshold of 99%, and 24 of them reported performance of 100%.

ID4

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 157,547 157,915 99.8% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  99.8%
London 99.9%
Midlands 99.8%
North East and Yorkshire 99.8%
North West 99.8%
South East 99.6%
South West 99.7%
England 99.8%

3. Sickle cell and thalassaemia screening

3.1 KPI ST1: coverage: antenatal screening

National performance of ST1 (see standard SCT-S01) in Q1 was 99.7%. The trend graph below shows that England ST1 performance has remained above the achievable threshold of 99% since 1 April 2019.

All screening services who submitted data (139 out of 139) met the acceptable threshold of 95%. 134 screening services reached the achievable threshold of 99%, and 22 of them reported performance of 100%.

ST1

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 157,371 157,829 99.7% 100%
Region Performance %
East of England  99.7%
London 99.9%
Midlands 99.8%
North East and Yorkshire 99.7%
North West 99.7%
South East 99.6%
South West 99.5%
England 99.7%

3.2 KPI ST2: test: timeliness of antenatal screening

National performance of ST2 (see standard SCT-S02) in Q1 was 57.1%, higher than the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England ST2 performance dropped below the acceptable threshold of 50% for Q1 and Q2 of 2020 to 2021 but has been back above the acceptable threshold in every quarter since then.

Data suggests that while services were maintained, performance was affected for this KPI during COVID-19 in 2020. This is not unexpected as technical guidance in place at the time stated that services could offer screening later than 10 weeks.

138 out of 139 screening services submitted data for this KPI for Q1.

ST2

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 90,999 159,292 57.1% 99.3%
Region  Performance %
East of England  57.1%
London 52.9%
Midlands 49.4%
North East and Yorkshire 72.8%
North West 51.3%
South East 58.2%
South West 63.8%
England 57.1%

3.3 KPI ST3: test: completion of family origin questionnaire (FOQ)

National performance of ST3 (see standard SCT-S03) in Q1 was 97.6%, the same as the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England ST3 performance has remained above the acceptable threshold of 95% since 1 April 2019.

Of the 139 (out of 139) screening services who submitted data, 118 met the acceptable threshold of 95% and 63 of them reached the achievable threshold of 99%, including 25 who reported performance of 100%.

ST3

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 157,982 161,911 97.6% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  97.6%
London 99.4%
Midlands 97.1%
North East and Yorkshire 97.1%
North West 96.2%
South East 96.8%
South West 98.1%
England 97.6%

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 (see standard SCT-S05) in Q1 was 49.6%, higher than the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows England ST4a performance since the KPI was first published in Q1 2019 to 2020. Thresholds have not yet been set for this KPI.

All 139 screening services submitted data, including 48 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. NHS England is reviewing this KPI with the aim of improving data quality.

ST4a

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 247 498 49.6% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  69.4%
London 43.7%
Midlands 46.8%
North East and Yorkshire 60.0%
North West 46.9%
South East 62.1%
South West 53.8%
England 49.6%

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 (see standard STC-S05) in Q1 was 68.4%, higher than the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows England ST4b performance since the KPI was first published in Q1 2019 to 2020. Thresholds have not yet been set for this KPI.

All 139 screening services submitted data, including 44 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. NHS England is reviewing this KPI with the aim of improving data quality.

ST4b

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 214 313 68.4% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  59.4%
London 70.0%
Midlands 60.7%
North East and Yorkshire 78.8%
North West 65.0%
South East 74.1%
South West 80.0%
England 68.4%

4. Newborn blood spot screening

4.1 KPI NB1: coverage of CCG responsibility at birth

National performance of NB1 (see standard NBS-S01a) in Q1 was 97.3%, 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 2019.

On April 1 2021, 38 CCGs merged creating 9 new ones, resulting in a total of 106 CCGs in England. In Q1, all 106 CCGs submitted data for NB1, and 95 met the acceptable threshold of 95%.

30 CCGs reached the achievable threshold of 99%, and 2 of them reported performance of 100%.

NB1

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 133,433 137,084 97.3% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  99.5%
London 95.5%
Midlands 98.3%
North East and Yorkshire 97.2%
North West 96.9%
South East 98.2%
South West 95.9%
England 97.3%

4.2 KPI NB2: test: quality of the blood spot sample

National performance of NB2 (see standard NBS-S06) in Q1 was 2.2%, higher than the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England NB2 performance is 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 2020 to 2021.

All 139 screening services submitted data, 74 met the acceptable threshold and 20 met the achievable threshold of 1%.

NB2

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 3,179 144,503 2.2% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  1.5%
London 2.4%
Midlands 1.4%
North East and Yorkshire 2.5%
North West 2.4%
South East 2.8%
South West 2.4%
England 2.2%

4.3 KPI NB4: coverage of movers in

National performance of NB4 (see standard NBS-S01b) in Q1 was 79.5%, the lowest ever level recorded for this KPI. The trend graph below shows that England NB4 performance has remained below the acceptable threshold of 95% since 1 April 2019.

On April 1 2021, 38 CCGs merged creating 9 new ones, resulting in a total of 106 CCGs in England. In Q1, all 106 CCGs submitted data for NB4, and 16 met the acceptable threshold of 95%.

NB4

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 9,448 11,886 79.5% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  83.8%
London 67.5%
Midlands 80.8%
North East and Yorkshire 87.9%
North West 84.5%
South East 82.2%
South West 79.6%
England 79.5%

5. Newborn hearing screening

5.1 KPI NH1: coverage

National performance of NH1 (see standard NHSP-S01) in Q1 was 98.6%, slightly higher than the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England NH1 performance has met the acceptable threshold of 98% since Q3 2020 to 2021.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 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.

NH1

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 139,385 141,417 98.6% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  99.3%
London 98.8%
Midlands 98.9%
North East and Yorkshire 98.4%
North West 97.2%
South East 98.3%
South West 99.2%
England 98.6%

5.2 KPI NH2: diagnosis/intervention – time from screening outcome to attendance at an audiological assessment appointment

National performance of NH2 (see standard NHSP-S05) in Q1 was 89.7%, higher than the previous quarter but below the acceptable threshold of 90%. 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.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in line with national guidance, many audiology departments closed. This resulted in a delay in the assessment of babies referred from the screen in most services.

NH2

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 2,757 3,072 89.7% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  88.2%
London 90.0%
Midlands 90.8%
North East and Yorkshire 89.8%
North West 87.7%
South East 91.7%
South West 91.4%
England 89.7%

6. Newborn and infant physical examination screening

6.1 KPI NP1: coverage

National performance of NP1 (see standard NIPE-S01) in Q1 was 96.3%, slightly lower than the previous quarter. The trend graph below shows that England NP1 performance has remained above the acceptable threshold of 95% since 1 April 2019.

Out of 129 screening services, 110 met the acceptable threshold. 36 services met the achievable threshold of 97.5%.

NP1

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 136,712 141,992 96.3% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  97.2%
London 96.3%
Midlands 96.5%
North East and Yorkshire 95.9%
North West 95.4%
South East 95.8%
South West 97.5%
England 96.3%

6.2 KPI NP3: diagnosis/intervention – timeliness of ultrasound scan of the hips for developmental dysplasia

NP3 (see standard NIPE-S03) was introduced in 2021 to 2022. 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.

In Q1 2022 to 2023, national performance of NP3 was 67.8%.

Out of 129 screening services, 3 met the acceptable threshold of 90.0%.

NP3

Quarter 1 performance

Reporting period Numerator Denominator Performance % Completeness of data %
1 April to 30 June 2022 9,430 13,916 67.8% 100%
Region  Performance %
East of England  73.1%
London 70.7%
Midlands 62.8%
North East and Yorkshire 61.1%
North West 61.5%
South East 73.6%
South West 73.7%
England 67.8%