Written question asked by Baroness Cumberlege (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Darzi of Denham (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 December 2007.

Health: Pregnant Women

Question: What plans they have for screening pregnant women who are infected with Group B streptococcus; whether a meeting is planned to discuss this; and, if so, when this will take place and who will be involved.

Answer: Current policy, on advice from the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, is not to offer routine screening for Group B streptococcus carriage to all pregnant women, because there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that this would be beneficial. The UK NSC is planning to hold a workshop during the spring of 2008 to consider the implications of the most recent research evidence on preventing Group B streptococcal infections in infancy. The widest possible stakeholder representation will be sought.

Secondary information