Full Analysis Summary
SMA newborn screening petition
Jesy Nelson has launched a public petition urging the UK to add spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 to the newborn blood spot (heel prick) screening after revealing her premature twin daughters were diagnosed with SMA1.
Multiple outlets report Nelson is using her platform to push for earlier detection of the condition.
The Manchester Evening News says she is "launching a petition to add SMA testing to the newborn heel-prick screening."
OK! Magazine describes her as "launching a petition to add SMA to the newborn blood spot (heel prick) screening test."
The Coventry Telegraph reports she is "campaigning to add spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to the NHS newborn blood spot (heel prick) screening, launching a petition to make the condition part of the test given at five days."
Coverage Differences
Tone and emphasis
Local outlets (Manchester Evening News) and celebrity-focused outlets (OK! Magazine) foreground Nelson’s personal campaign and petition launch, highlighting her activism; Coventry Telegraph (Other) frames it as a health-policy campaign aiming at NHS screening practice. Each is reporting Nelson’s own stated aim rather than editorializing—Manchester Evening News quotes Nelson’s action, OK! Magazine quotes her determination, and Coventry Telegraph reports the specific policy target.
Premature twins' SMA1 diagnosis
Nelson's daughters, Ocean Jade and Story Monroe, were born prematurely and have been diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 1, the most severe form of the condition.
Manchester Evening News reports the twins were 'born prematurely last May' and quotes Nelson calling SMA1 'the most severe muscular disease'.
The London Evening Standard provides medical detail, saying the babies were 'born at 31 weeks in May'.
It adds that Story needs overnight breathing support and that both twins require feeding tubes.
HELLO! Magazine also reports the birth as premature but states the twins were 'born prematurely in June 2025', creating a discrepancy in reported timing across outlets.
Coverage Differences
Contradiction / factual discrepancy
Sources differ on the month the twins were born: Manchester Evening News and London Evening Standard report May (and London specifies "Born at 31 weeks in May"), while HELLO! Magazine reports they were "born prematurely in June 2025." These are reporting differences in factual detail rather than quoted opinion.
Detail level / clinical specifics
London Evening Standard provides more clinical detail about breathing and feeding support — reporting "Story needs overnight breathing support and both require feeding tubes" — whereas some other outlets focus on the diagnosis and campaign rather than those medical specifics.
Call for earlier SMA screening
Nelson described discovering the diagnosis as a painful and frustrating process and said earlier detection might have changed outcomes.
The London Evening Standard reports she tearfully said earlier diagnosis and treatment could have changed their prognosis and that she "could have prevented this" if the condition had been caught sooner.
HELLO! Magazine quotes Nelson saying she "had no prior awareness of SMA" and that after researching she realised interventions can help, which added to her frustration.
Coventry Telegraph and OK! Magazine note she will discuss her experience on ITV's This Morning and report that Health Secretary Wes Streeting has backed her challenge to the screening process, signalling political attention to her campaign.
Coverage Differences
Narrative emphasis and quoted claims
London Evening Standard emphasizes Nelson’s emotional account and her belief that earlier screening could have altered outcomes (quotes her saying she "could have prevented this"), while HELLO! frames her learning process and frustration at lack of prior awareness. Coventry Telegraph and OK! Magazine focus more on the resulting campaign and political response, reporting support from Health Secretary Wes Streeting rather than relaying her emotional quote directly.
Newborn SMA screening update
Public-health context and policy details vary across reports.
Several outlets say the addition of SMA to newborn screening is "under review," while others note Scotland’s planned rollout.
The Coventry Telegraph states the addition is under review and that Scotland will begin screening for SMA from spring, but the rest of the UK does not yet include it.
Manchester Evening News likewise reports the change is currently under review.
OK! Magazine repeats that Scotland plans to begin newborn SMA screening from spring, but the test is not yet available across the rest of the UK.
This cluster of reporting shows agreement on review status with specific mention of Scotland’s timeline, while emphasizing that the screening is not yet nationwide.
Coverage Differences
Coverage focus / policy detail
All cited sources report the screening change is under review, but Coventry Telegraph and OK! Magazine explicitly mention Scotland's planned start in spring—these outlets provide policy timeline detail—whereas some reports (e.g., Manchester Evening News) state the review without the same emphasis on Scotland's schedule.
Media coverage of Nelson
Across the coverage, tone and emphasis differ: some outlets highlight Nelson's emotional TV interview and the girls' medical challenges.
Other outlets foreground the petition and political response, and tabloid or celebrity outlets stress her determination and gratitude to supporters.
The London Evening Standard reports she "has broken down in her first TV interview" and quotes her emotional reflections.
Manchester Evening News notes she "has thanked fans for their support."
OK! Magazine says she described herself as "determined" to make the screening change.
HELLO! reports she "made a video to raise awareness."
Coventry Telegraph notes she "urged supporters to help" and that she will speak on This Morning, illustrating how different source types shape what aspects of the story they highlight.
Coverage Differences
Tone / platform emphasis
Local mainstream outlets (London Evening Standard, Manchester Evening News) emphasize the emotional interview and fan response, celebrity/tabloid outlets (OK! Magazine) emphasize determination and campaigning language, while lifestyle/feature outlets (HELLO!, Coventry Telegraph) include awareness-raising actions and policy focus. Each source reports Nelson’s statements, but the quoted language chosen by each shapes readers’ impressions — from grief to activism to gratitude.