Former Little Mix star Jesy Nelson has expressed pride after the NHS confirmed it will begin screening newborns for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) earlier than planned. The rollout is now expected to start in October 2026, ahead of the previously scheduled January 2027.
The singer, 34, campaigned for universal newborn screening after her twins, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe Nelson, were diagnosed with the rare genetic condition, which causes progressive muscle wastage. Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed the accelerated timeline in a letter to Nelson and Giles Lomax, chief executive of SMA UK.
Streeting stated that the screening will be introduced as part of in-screening evaluations (ISE) from October 2026. He added that officials are working to extend the programme across England and that Scottish authorities are collaborating to share findings from the pilot.
Nelson, who recently became a patron of SMA UK, described the development as a “major milestone” for the SMA community. She previously met with Streeting to discuss how early detection could have altered her twins’ prognosis. The twins received a one-off infusion to prevent further muscle loss, but cannot regain muscles already affected.
Giles Lomax welcomed the announcement, saying it would “change the lives of so many” diagnosed through the heel-prick test. He urged continued efforts to ensure the screening is available across all UK nations, stating, “no baby should be left behind based on where they live.”
