DUP MP Carla Lockhart urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to review the UK's newborn screening program during Prime Minister's Questions. She raised the case of seven-year-old Teddy Johnson, who died on April 16 from metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a rare inherited disorder affecting brain white matter and causing loss of physical and mental skills.

Lockhart noted that a treatment for MLD exists in the UK and works only if detected at birth via the heel-prick test. She stated that early detection offers hope, while diagnosis after symptoms appear comes too late. The MP described the boy's death as a reminder of delays in testing, despite available treatment and services.

Starmer responded that he would ensure the issue receives reconsideration based on the case. Lockhart welcomed the commitment and called for prompt action to prevent other families from facing similar losses in Teddy's memory.

A death notice listed Teddy as the son of Marvin and Jemma Johnson, brother of Jean, grandson of Robert and Svenja, Jacqui and Brian, Ray and Dorene, nephew of Robyn, Ross and Sebastian, and cousin to Thomas. The family thanked staff at Blossom Children’s Ward and the Metabolic Team at Belfast's Royal Belfast Hospital for Children for their care.