Current trends in Antenatal Screening Services: Results from a regional survey.
OBJECTIVE
To identify variations in current antenatal screening programmes across one region and compare results with a previous survey.


METHODS
A cross section descriptive survey.


METHODS
All maternity units within the region of Northern Ireland.


METHODS
Eleven maternity units were invited and ten agreed to participate.


METHODS
The number of written policies for individual screening tests; the range of screening tests offered; the frequency of training opportunities for health professionals; and the information systems in place to record data.


RESULTS
There is variation in service provision across maternity units and, in particular, inconsistency in the offer of serum screening tests for Down syndrome. A lack of training opportunities for health professionals involved in offering screening was highlighted, and no common information system employed.


CONCLUSIONS
While improvements have been made since 2002, variations persist. This is leading to inequalities in the provision of antenatal screening services across Northern Ireland.
Lynn
F
F
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Queen's University Belfast 21 Stranmillis Road, Belfast BT9 5EF.
McNeill
J
J
Alderdice
F
F
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006291:Health Policy; D006771:Hospitals, Maternity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D009660:Northern Ireland; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013223:Statistics as Topic