BACKGROUND:
In April 2018, NHS Wales became the first UK public health system to introduce Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) into routine antenatal care. NIPT is a highly accurate screening tool for Down’s, Edwards’, and Patau’s syndromes, offering a safer alternative to invasive diagnostic procedures. Used as an additional screening step and not a replacement, NIPT's introduction raises clinical, ethical, and social issues. While uptake and efficacy data are available, little is known about how NIPT is understood and experienced by women and providers in Wales and other NHS settings.

OBJECTIVES:
The NEPTUNE study aimed to explore the clinical, social, and ethical impact of NIPT, identify best practices, and suggest service improvements.

METHODS:
Using mixed-methods, recruiting across five NHS sites and one private clinic, NEPTUNE involved: Interviews with service users (n=41), clinical providers (n=22), and non-clinical experts (n=10); ethnographic observations of routine care and a qualitative survey of women (n=299) Consensus mapping informed development of a practical resource for improving NIPT delivery.

RESULTS:
NIPT’s introduction into routine care was valued by women and professionals, with many supporting broader access to testing. However, challenges emerged: Many women reported anxiety in connection with time spent waiting for results and felt ‘overloaded’ by information. Though most found NIPT reassuring, for some the test remained a source of confusion and concern. Private patients appreciated direct access to NIPT but information and support varied in quality. Clinicians appreciated NIPT’s accuracy but raised concerns about equity of access and training needs.

CONCLUSIONS:
Integrating NIPT into routine care is complex and requires ongoing refinement. Improvement should focus on addressing disparities in access, enhancing communication, and investing in staff training and support.

KEY MESSAGE:
NIPT is valued but must be supported with clear information and equitable access Waiting periods and inconsistent communication remain sources of distress. Ongoing staff training and tailored support are essential to effective implementation. Poster session 2 (Group A)