Fetal anomaly screening programme handbook
National guidance, information and processes for the NHS fetal anomaly screening programme (FASP).
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This handbook provides practical guidance to support healthcare professionals and stakeholders in providing the NHS fetal anomaly screening programme (FASP) screening pathways. It includes:
- national guidelines
- national recommendations
- screening programme standards
- service specifications (No. 16 NHS FASP Trisomy screening and No. 17 NHS FASP Fetal anomaly scan)
Updates to this page
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Data section 2.2: Updated table outlining the detection rates for the various physical and serious cardiac conditions to reflect the most up to date standards.
Update history
2026-01-29 09:47
Sections 2.3, 7.4 and 9 of the ‘Screening for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome’ chapter and section 1 of the ‘quality assurance’ chapter updated. Section 2.3 – wording added on using early dating scans for the purpose of screeningSection 7.4 – wording updated on referral pathway for vanished twinsSection 9 – section reworded and includes the standardisation of reporting chance resultsSection 1 – wording added on governance requirements for NHS FASP laboratories
2025-05-15 15:34
Data section 2.2: Updated table outlining the detection rates for the various physical and serious cardiac conditions to reflect the most up to date standards.
2024-12-16 16:02
Changed the second image under ‘Example 2’ in the quality assurance chapter.
2024-10-08 15:42
Added clarification that publication was previously published by Public Health England.
2024-02-19 15:20
Updated reference of PHE to NHS England
2023-11-22 11:24
Changed contact email.Added wording to provide clarity on IVF pregnancies and age of donorAdded information on measurements for combined and quadruple tests in twin pregnanciesAmended wording for the 20-week screening scan. Amended wording for completing the 20-week screening scan to provide clarity to when the rescan should be offered.
2023-05-04 15:31
Minor amends made to a few pages in the Screening for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome HTML piece and a revised edition of the Request form and data fields required for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome screening form.
2022-10-12 14:17
Updated links in all sections. Additional information on the quadruple test (screening for Down’s, Edward’s and Patau’s section). Updated information on the PND procedure timeframe (prenatal diagnosis section). Clarification of the image review process (section 4.1 of the quality assurance section). Updates to sections 2.1 and 2.1 of the data section.
2022-07-05 15:51
Updated education and training chapter, templates for induction of qualified staff (no DQASS report in last 6 months and concerns identified), and template for trainee ultrasound practitioners. Includes new information following the introduction of reporting spread on DQASS feedback plots.