Siobhan started working for the NHS Screening Programmes in 2001 on the implementation of newborn hearing screening. She has had a variety of roles, mostly those requiring scientific or technical expertise. In 2015 she joined the NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening Programme. She started her career as an audiologist but went on to do a masters in biophysics and later a PhD in auditory biophysics. She now supports researchers by coordinating their requests to access screening data and provides the secretariat for research advisory committees. Her interests include cycle touring and hiking.
New alpha zero thalassaemia carrier digital leaflet for pregnant women and couples.
The family origin questionnaire (FOQ) guidance has been updated to describe the essential elements local NHS antenatal screening providers must include in their locally developed FOQ forms, whatever their format.
We continue to update and publish national public information about the NHS screening programmes in accessible digital format. This now includes information for parents of babies whose newborn blood spot screening test shows they carry a gene for an unusual …
We blogged in September about the need for NHS maternity service providers to consider their options for replacing the free printed family origin questionnaire (FOQ) antenatal screening form when it is phased out next year. The NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia (SCT) …
We have updated and published in accessible digital format the national NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia (SCT) Screening Programme information about being a carrier of a sickle cell, thalassamia or other unusual haemoglobin gene. These digital leaflets provide pregnant women …
We have published new national guidance on GOV.UK that explains the process for policy makers and researchers who want to access screening data to explore new tests, treatments and theories.
The NHS Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia (SCT) Programme endorses short counselling courses for health professionals who care for families affected by the 2 conditions.