Jesy Nelson's petition to add SMA to newborn checks will get a government response.

The government will respond to Jesy Nelson's petition to add spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to the newborn heel‑prick test; the petition has gathered more than 35,000 signatures.

Jesy Nelson has launched a petition to add spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to the newborn heel‑prick screening offered in the UK. She began the campaign after her twins were diagnosed with SMA1 and has shared their journey on Instagram. The petition has collected more than 35,000 signatures and will receive a response from the Government because it passed the 10,000 threshold. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, Parliament would be required to debate it. Key details: - The petition was started by Jesy Nelson following her twins' diagnosis of SMA1. - It has more than 35,000 signatures and has triggered a required government response. - A parliamentary debate would be required if the petition reaches 100,000 signatures. - Nelson met Health Secretary Wes Streeting to discuss early detection and its potential impact. Summary: The petition has prompted an official government response and has drawn public attention to calls for newborn SMA screening. The next formal steps are a government reply and a possible parliamentary debate if the signature threshold for debate is reached.