A report released in April 2007 by the National Screening Unit, Antenatal Down Syndrome Screening in New Zealand 2007, identified that the current practice of screening using only maternal age and/or nuchal translucency (NT), without biochemical markers is unsafe, inequitable, and should not continue.

The Ministry of Health has reviewed the current practices for the screening and diagnosis of Down syndrome in pregnancy and there is agreement that improvements need to be made. 

The purpose of the quality improvements is to ensure that women who choose to have screening will be able to access the safest and most reliable form of screening available.  Women should be provided with balanced information that includes caring for a child with a disability, and the supports available to parents in this position. Those women who choose not to be screened will be supported in their decision.

As an interim measure from 1 August 2008 the second trimester maternal serum test (MSS2) will be provided free to women.  This is to improve access for women who decide to be screened.  Where a woman also has had a nuchal translucency scan this result will be combined with the MSS2 result.