One of the most accurate prenatal screening available

The NHS Combined Test and Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) are both prenatal screening tests, but they differ significantly in method, accuracy, and timing. NHS Combined Test uses ultrasound plus blood markers and factors such as maternal age to statistically estimate risk, while NIPT is a newer, more accurate blood test analysing fetal DNA that gives a more precise risk estimate. NIPT is generally offered under the NHS after a high-risk combined test result, or can be accessed privately earlier. NIPT reduces the number of unnecessary invasive diagnostics tests due to a lower false positive rate. It is also available 3-4 weeks earlier.

Panorama uses SNP-based technology that actually distinguishes fetal DNA from maternal DNA, rather than just counting DNA fragments. This means: lowest false positive rate of any NIPT, better performance with low fetal DNA levels, ability to detect triploidy and vanishing twin, and more accurate results for IVF pregnancies.

Standard Panorama screens for:

• Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
• Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)
• Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
• Sex aneuploides (optional)
• Triploidy
• Microdeletion 22q11.2 (DiGeorge syndrome)
• Baby’s sex (optional)

No. NIPT is a screening test—it tells you the likelihood of a condition, not whether your baby definitely has it. A “low risk” result is very reassuring (over 99% of the time, your baby doesn’t have the screened conditions). A “high risk” result indicates increased probability and is typically followed by diagnostic testing (CVS or amniocentesis) to confirm.

A high-risk result means the screening detected an increased likelihood of a specific condition. Our partner laboratory offers calls with the genetic counsellor to explain in more detail what your result means and discuss the options (typically diagnostic testing for confirmation). Remember—a high-risk screening result is not a diagnosis.

No. NIPT screens for specific chromosomal conditions—it doesn’t replace the NHS anomaly scan, which checks for structural issues like heart defects or spina bifida. Some genetic conditions aren’t detectable by NIPT. We recommend NIPT as part of comprehensive care, not a replacement for other screening.

NIPT primarily screens for common fetal chromosomal abnormalities that typically arise as new genetic errors, happening during the development of the foetus, rather than for inherited mutations that run in families. For information about the inheritance of single-gene disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, fragile X syndrome and other familial disorders, Carrier Screening or Single Gene Screening – both available at Flowan Health –  may be suitable.

Many women over 35 choose NIPT because chromosomal conditions are more common with maternal age. However, NIPT is valuable at any age—particularly microdeletion screening, which isn’t age-related. The decision depends on what information would be useful to you and how you would use the results. No referral needed. You can book directly online, by phone, or email—often for same-day or next-day appointments. We’re here when you need us, without waiting weeks for authorization