Today’s Victorian 2022-23 Budget included funding to expand the state’s newborn screening program.
In recognition of Rare Voices Australia’s (RVA) leading role in national newborn bloodspot screening advocacy, Martin Foley MP’s (Minister for Health) office reached out to provide RVA with more detail regarding this announcement.
RVA has been advised that in total, $4.1 million over 4 years will be provided to add spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) to Victoria’s newborn screening program. A lead-in time of up to 12 months will allow for the establishment of the required staffing and equipment, in accordance with the national recommendation endorsed by Australian Governments, to ensure the successful rollout of quality and safe screening. RVA anticipates that more information will be made available in the near future and will provide updates accordingly.
Read Victoria’s 2022/23 State Budget Papers (see Budget Paper 3 for details related to newborn screening).
