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<p>We recognise the concerns that the introduction of offering non-invasive prenatal
test (NIPT) could have on the rate of possible terminations following a diagnosis
of Down’s Syndrome. However, the key objective of NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme
(FASP) is to enable prospective parents to make informed choices, at each step along
the screening pathway. The screening guidance and midwife training is very clear that
the options should be offered sensitively and prospective parents decisions respected.
Counselling is available at all stages of the screening pathway to support people
to make informed choices in the event of a fetal abnormality being detected, and the
decision to terminate must rest on the judgement of the woman herself and her doctors.</p><p>The
national introduction of the evaluative roll out of NIPT as a contingent screening
test is yet to be implemented into the NHS FASP. Once NIPT is rolled out, data on
the choices women make regarding screening and/or diagnosis will be collected. Data
will also be collected on the pregnancy outcomes of women who choose to have screening,
and about babies born with Down’s syndrome.</p>
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