Written question asked by Brian Jenkins (Labour) on Thursday, 30 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 November 2003. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what cost analysis he has carried out of introducing a pilot screening programme for pregnant women to test for Group B Streptococcus; and what he estimates the costs involved would be.

Answer: Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what cost analysis he has carried out of introducing a pilot screening programme for pregnant women to test for Group B Streptococcus; and what he estimates the costs involved would be. [136418] Dr. Ladyman: The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) has commissioned an assessment of the existing evidence on screening for Group B Streptococcus in pregnancy against criteria used to assess potential screening programmes to ensure they do more good than harm. This assessment will include consideration of the costs that would be involved in introducing a screening programme. The NSC is expected to consider policy options at its meeting in December 2003.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 136418; 413 c588-9W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Pregnancy Screening Bacterial diseases Pregnancy complications Streptococcus
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk