Former Little Mix singer Jesy Nelson has described the rollout of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) screening as a 'postcode lottery' that 'isn't fair'.
Campaign for Newborn Screening
Nelson, 35, campaigned for newborn babies to be screened after her twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson, were diagnosed with the rare condition, which causes progressive muscle wastage. Earlier this year, she launched a petition that garnered more than 150,000 signatures. Subsequently, it was announced that SMA screening would be rolled out as part of in-screening evaluations (ISE) from October 2026, earlier than the planned January 2027 launch.
Emotional Appeal on Instagram
In an Instagram post accompanied by an emotional video, Nelson said: 'We have had some amazing news that screening is due to start in October this year, which is a huge step forward. But there's still a big problem: it will only cover 72% of England. That means some babies won't be screened simply because of where they live. A postcode lottery like that just isn't fair. Every baby deserves the same chance, every baby's life matters.'
In the video, she described the limited rollout as 'playing with children's lives and that is not ok', adding 'it makes me so sad to think that my children's lives could've been so different'.
Upcoming Westminster Debate
Nelson said she would attend a debate in Westminster on her petition on Monday alongside Giles Lomax, chief executive of charity SMA UK. She called for supporters to join her for a photo at 5pm. She added: 'No baby should miss out because of their postcode. Let's keep fighting until every newborn has the same opportunity. Thank you for standing with us every step of the way.'
Previous Engagements and Patronage
Nelson met then-health secretary Wes Streeting in January to discuss the life-changing impact of early detection. In April, she visited 10 Downing Street. She became a patron of SMA UK in February. When the earlier rollout was announced, Nelson said she was 'proud' of the 'major milestone'.
Her Twins' Diagnosis
The singer said in January that her daughters' diagnosis meant they were unlikely to ever walk or regain neck strength. SMA causes muscle weakness, movement problems, breathing and swallowing difficulties, muscle tremors, and bone and joint issues, according to the NHS.
Pregnancy Complications
Nelson experienced complications during pregnancy, including twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), caused by abnormal connecting blood vessels in the placenta leading to imbalanced blood flow between twins. Her pregnancy was documented in the Prime Video series Jesy Nelson: Life After Little Mix. The twins celebrated their first birthday in May, which Nelson called a 'milestone'.
Career Background
Nelson rose to fame after winning The X Factor in 2011 with Little Mix, alongside Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Perrie Edwards, and Jade Thirlwall. She left the group in December 2020 after nearly a decade, with hits including 'Cannonball', 'Shout Out To My Ex', and 'Wings'. As a solo artist, she released 'Boyz' featuring Nicki Minaj in 2021 and 'Bad Thing' in 2023. The NHS has been contacted for comment.
