RE: Scottish roll out from September20 Aug 2025 18:49
A new genetic test that reduces the risk of deafness in newborn babies is being introduced by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde as part of a national rollout funded by the Scottish Government.
The rapid point-of-care genedrive test, which will launch in September, identifies a genetic variant that can cause permanent hearing loss when babies are treated with the common antibiotic Gentamicin. It allows for more tailored care, with babies identified to have the variant provided with an alternative antibiotic.
Yesterday Public Health Minister Jenni Minto visited the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Hospital for Children, where the test will be introduced first, to see a demonstration of how it works.
National adoption of the test will be supported by the Chief Scientist Office-funded Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway, which is led by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery. NHSGGC, through the West of Scotland Innovation Hub, recommended the test for consideration by ANIA.
Read more here: https://lnkd.in/emYvswUp