Written question asked by Naomi Long (Alliance) on Monday, 27 February 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 February 2012. It was answered by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 1 March 2012 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Streptococcus: Screening

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on the compulsory screening of pregnant women for group B streptococcus in Northern Ireland;

Answer: Ministers in this Department have not had any direct discussion with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive regarding introducing a national screening programme for group B streptococcus (GBS) carriage in pregnancy in Northern Ireland.The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) advises Ministers and the national health service in all four United Kingdom countries about all aspects of screening policy, including screening policy for GBS carriage in pregnancy. The UK NSC is currently reviewing the evidence for screening for GBS carriage in pregnancy against its criteria. A public consultation on the screening review will open in spring 2012.

Secondary information