Mums-to-be in Bradford will now be tested for Down’s Syndrome much earlier in pregnancy.

From October 1, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are offering the combined first trimester screening to all women up to 14-weeks-and-one-day into their pregnancy.

Previously women had to wait until at least the fifteenth week but the new test can now take place as early as 11 weeks. The new test is also more reliable, detecting more than 75% of cases compared to 60% previously.

Consultant Dr Janet Wright, Clinical lead for Obstetrics and Gynaecology based at Bradford Royal Infirmary, said: “This is a tremendous advancement which gives women the opportunity to make choices appropriate to them at an earlier stage in pregnancy.

“The test was previously only available privately so this is a significant enhancement of the service we are able to offer at Bradford.”

The new test involves an ultrasound scan of the baby which measures fluid under the skin at the back of the baby’s neck. This combined with a blood sample from the mother allows a calculation to be made of the risk for Down’s syndrome.

The traditional quadruple blood test, which is carried out between 14 and 20 weeks into pregnancy, is still available for women who miss the earlier test.

This test meets the National Standard for Down’s syndrome screening as recommended in the UK National Screening Committee’s Model of Best Practice 2011-2014. The test involves the combined skills of trained midwives, sonographers and doctor’s.