The DUP’s Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has powerfully pressed the Prime Minister Keir Starmer to urgently review the UK’s newborn screening programme following the death of seven-year-old Teddy from Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (MLD).

Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Ms Lockhart highlighted that while a treatment for MLD exists in the UK, it is only effective if the condition is identified at birth through the routine heel-prick test.

Commenting afterwards Carla Lockhart MP said:

“Teddy’s death is a devastating reminder of the consequences of delay. We have a treatment available and a commissioned service, yet children are still dying because we are not testing early enough.

The science is clear. If MLD is detected at birth, there is hope. If it is detected after symptoms appear, it is too late.

I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to look at this again, but this must now lead to urgent action. In Teddy’s memory, we must ensure no other family faces this preventable loss.

Responding in the Chamber, the Prime Minister said he would ensure the issue is reconsidered in light of the case raised.”