Go to homepage - National Screening Unit.

Role-specific information

Role-specific information

Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs) are responsible for ensuring the heel prick test is performed if parents/caregivers have consented to the test. This includes:

  • talking to parents/caregivers about newborn metabolic screening
  • answering any questions parents have about the programme
  • gaining parents consent for screening
  • recording consent/declines
  • ensuring other health professionals are aware of declines
  • performing the heel prick test (or ensuring it is performed when consented)
  • providing any follow up required by the programme (eg, second samples).

Once consent is granted the LMC must ensure:

  • the heel prick test is performed at 48 hours of age or as soon as possible thereafter (irrespective of feeding status, stool colour or antibiotics)
  • the card is sent on the day of testing or as soon as possible thereafter (once the blood is dry – about 1 1/2 to 2 hours)
  • check the summary list which is sent by the laboratory every month to ensure all babies under their care have been tested.

In terms of taking the heel prick there are six key points to consider:

  1. Is Mum and/or Dad informed and consented to the procedure?
  2. Is the card filled in correctly?
  3. Am I using the recommended lancet and performing the test at 48 hours of age or as soon as possible thereafter?
  4. Am I collecting a single large drop of blood that fills a complete circle?
  5. Am I ensuring the specimen is not contaminated?
  6. Have I dried the specimen and sent it off to the National Testing Centre as soon as possible?