NSO Governance

Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO) is under the stewardship of the Government of Ontario, and has fiduciary responsibility to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) board.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and NSO are advised by the Newborn Screening Advisory Council (NSO-AC) on any policies and programs related to newborn screening.

About the Newborn Screening Ontario Advisory Council (NSO-AC)

The Newborn Screening Ontario Advisory Council (NSO-AC) is responsible for providing advice and guidance to Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO), as well as the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.  The NSO-AC reports annually to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Board of Directors. The Council provides provincial stakeholders a forum to directly influence the direction of current and future NSO programs.

The membership of the Council consists of disease, screening, and health evaluative science experts from across the province.  There are also ex-officio representatives from the CHEO Board, NSO (NSO Executive Director or designate), the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

The NSO-AC developed a formal review process to evaluate potential new screening targets and existing targets in the province of Ontario. To learn more about the evaluation of existing targets click here.

The NSO-AC meets a minimum of four times per year. For decision making, quorum is set at 50% + 1, with a goal of decision by consensus.

For more information, please see the terms of reference. If you have any questions please contact the NSO-AC.