Written question asked by Andrew Selous (Conservative) on Monday, 10 October 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 October 2011. It was answered by Anne Milton (Conservative) on Thursday, 13 October 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Streptococcus: Screening

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department's policy is on testing women for group B streptococcal infection during pregnancy; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The UK National Screening, which advises Ministers and the national health service in all four countries about all aspects of screening policy, considered its policy for screening for group B streptococcus (GBS) carriage in pregnancy in 2009. The policy review concluded that the evidence did not support the introduction of screening. The policy is due to be considered again in 2012, or earlier, if significant new evidence emerges.The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has produced a Green-top guideline, 'Prevention of Early Onset Group B Streptococcal Disease', which provides guidance for obstetricians, midwives and neonatologists on the prevention of early-onset neonatal GBS disease. The RCOG has also produced information for women and their families who are expecting a baby or planning to become pregnant, 'Preventing group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in newborn babies—information for you'.

Secondary information