Storage of Screening Cards

All newborn screening cards should be stored for up to 10 years after the test and then disposed of during the child’s 11^th year. At the time of the test, parents will be informed of this and will give their consent.

After screening the newborn screening card may be used for:

• checking the original results or for other tests as recommended by a doctor. Permission will be sought from parents if this is required
• quality assurance purposes and to develop and improve the newborn bloodspot screening programme.  In this case, the sample will be completely anonymised and no result obtained will be traced back to the original sample.

Parents can request that their child's newborn screening card be disposed of after their child's first birthday by writing directly to the National Newborn Bloodspot Screening Laboratory, Children's University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin 1, giving details of their child's full name at birth, the date of birth and the name of the birth hospital. Parents must also provide proof of identity by including a copy of their driving licence or passport, a copy of their child's birth certificate and a recent utility bill.