Heel prick screening
All newborn babies are screened for 8 conditions that are rare, but treatable, if detected early in life. This is known as the 'heel prick' because a small blood sample is taken from the baby's heel.
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Heel prick screening for newborn babies - about
Heel prick screening – also known as 'newborn bloodspot screening' – checks for 8 rare but serious conditions in babies. Screening is strongly recommended.
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Why we screen babies by heel prick
The conditions the heel prick screens for are very rare, but treatable if detected early in life. That's why we screen your baby when they're just 3 to 5 days old.
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Agreeing to your baby's heel prick screen
You'll be asked to sign your baby's 'newborn screening card' to confirm that you agree to the test.
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If you do not want heel prick screening for your baby
If you do not want your baby to be tested, you'll need to tell your midwife or public nurse why and sign an 'opt-out' form.
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What happens during the heel prick screen
The National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Laboratory stores your baby's blood sample securely as part of your baby's health record.
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Getting your baby's heel prick results
If your baby's results are positive, a nurse or doctor will contact you, usually 1 to 2 weeks after the heel prick. If your baby's results are negative, they will not contact you.
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What happens to your baby's heel prick blood sample
A midwife or nurse takes a few drops of blood from your baby's heel using a special device. They collect the blood onto a special card and send it for testing.