Jesy Nelson 'proud and bittersweet' over NHS SMA testing

Jesy Nelson got candid about her feelings on the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) journey.

The 34-year-old star revealed that she was both proud and bitter-sweet on the news that NHS will start testing newborn infants in England.

This was a result of a level of patience as she had fought to achieve after her twin daughters were diagnosed.

The former Little Mix singer who is on a career break to look after her 10-month-old twins Ocean and Story was told that the pilot program would no longer be launched in January 2027.

However, it will be brought forward to October this year by the Health Secretary Wes Streeting. 

Her two daughters have SMA-1 which is a severe form of the rare genetic condition characteriSed by rapid degeneration of motor neurons.

Nelson told the Daily Mirror, "This is massive. Now there are potentially 404,000 babies who will be screened over the next 12 months.

"I just wish this had been here for my babies and for all the SMA babies who never got tested.

"That’s why I wanted to do this - I don’t want anyone to have to go through this heartbreak."

Giles Lomax, chief executive of SMA UK whose seven year old twins have SMA, described the announcement as a milestone that will transform the lives of so many diagnosed by the heel prick test.

On Instagram, Nelson wrote, "I am so proud, as this is a major milestone for the SMA community."