Alison Giraud-Saunders, Co-Director at the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, today said:

“News that 9 in 10 trusts are failing to meet the national requirements for Down’s syndrome screening is deeply concerning. Expectant parents should be able to choose whether to undergo screening, and have access to good advice from midwives and obstetricians should a fetal abnormality be detected.

“Research shows that many expectant parents still encounter negative attitudes from midwives and obstetricians towards Down’s syndrome and other similar conditions. These hard pressed professionals often lack balanced, up-to-date information about what it is like to raise a child with a disability to pass on to expectant parents.

“If stretched maternity services are unable to carry out the most basic tests, then it is unlikely that expectant parents are going to receive the right kind of support from healthcare professionals should they be faced with the news that their baby may be disabled.”

The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities is carrying out research into antenatal screening with a view to improving the training given to midwives and obstetricians. The charity is asking expectant mothers and fathers to take part in the research by completing an anonymous questionnaire - visit www.learningdisabilities.org.uk for more information.