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Written question asked by Kerry McCarthy (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 March 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 March 2011. It was answered by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Monday, 7 March 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Streptococcus: Screening

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the (a) clinical and (b) cost effectiveness of introducing screening for group B streptococcus for all pregnant women; and what steps he plans to take to raise awareness among (i) pregnant women and (ii) healthcare professionals of group B streptococcus.
Answer

The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) advises Ministers and the national health service in all four countries about all aspects of screening policy. The UK NSC reviewed the policy for screening for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage in pregnancy in 2009. The review was the subject of a broad consultation and concluded that the evidence did not support the introduction of screening.The UK NSC had previously commissioned a clinical and cost-effectiveness study comparing different approaches to GBS. The health technology assessment took this work forward on behalf of the UK NSC and published the results in 2007. The main conclusion was that there was considerable uncertainty on the most effective approach to GBS. The study results were considered by the UK NSC during the screening policy review in 2009. The UK NSC will review its policy position again on GBS carriage in pregnancy screening in 2012 or earlier if any significant new peer reviewed evidence emerges.Information for women on GBS is contained in 'The Pregnancy Book', a guide to a healthy pregnancy, labour and childbirth, and life with a new baby, which is given to all pregnant women. Information is also available on the NHS Choices website at:"www.nhs.uk/chq/pages/2037.aspx?categoryid= 54&subcategoryid=137"Women who are concerned about GBS infection are advised to talk to their doctor or midwife.Current guidance on the prevention of early-onset neonatal GBS disease is provided by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The guideline advises health care professionals on the management of high risk pregnancies and is currently being reviewed and updated. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are currently developing guidance on the management of early onset infections including GBS.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
44121; 524 c907-8W
Session
2010-12
Related items
Streptococcus: Screening
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Pregnancy Screening Streptococcus
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk