Guidance

Newborn blood spot screening: failsafe solution user guide

How to use the newborn blood spot screening failsafe solution (NBSFS), the national IT system, to minimise risk to babies.

Documents

NBSFS record query form

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NBSFS new user request form

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What to do if newborn blood spot failsafe solution (NBSFS) is unavailable

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Details

The newborn blood spot screening failsafe solution (NBSFS) is an IT system that minimises the risk of babies missing, or having delayed, newborn blood spot (NBS) screening.

This user guide includes:

  • processes between England and Wales and Scotland
  • forms, for example to request a new user or query a record
  • operational level agreements
  • quick reference guide
  • training guides

Updates to this page

Published 31 October 2017
Last updated 8 March 2023 + show all updates
  1. Added an extra attachment about 'what to do if the newborn bloodspot failsafe solution is unavailable'

  2. NBSFS user guide updated, including new flowchart illustration of NBSFS process in accessible format.

  3. Removed sections on failsafe processes between Wales and England and failsafe processes between Scotland and England, as this information is now available within the failsafe IT system.

  4. Update to section 1.4 of the operational level agreements for maternity users.

  5. Added new HTML attachment on the process for trust mergers on the NBSFS.

  6. Added new section in the operational levels agreements for maternity users (section 1.16 - weekly reports for maternity).

  7. Added OLA A3b section to 'NBSFS operational levels agreements for maternity users' and OLA B2b section to 'NBSFS operational level agreements for child health record department users' on confirming deceased status after sample has been received and processed by laboratory.

  8. Added a new section (1.19) in 'NBSFS operational level agreements for laboratory users'.

  9. Removed 3 training guides: cross-border access authorisation form, NBSFS site guide and quick reference guide. Updated ‘NBS failsafe processes between Wales and England’.

  10. Updated user guide, failsafe processes between Wales and England, automated notes, feedback form and record query form to reflect changes introduced following an upgrade to the system.

  11. First published.

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