The NHS is urging people of African, Caribbean, or Mediterranean descent to get a free blood test for sickle cell trait to inform reproductive decisions.

The NHS is urging people, especially those of African, Caribbean, or Mediterranean heritage, to get a free, simple blood test to check for the sickle cell trait, a condition with no symptoms but can be passed to children, potentially causing sickle cell disease. Testing helps families make informed reproductive choices and enables early health planning. The test is widely available through the NHS and is recommended for those planning pregnancy.