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Dept of Health

Answer

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research his Department has conducted into group B streptococcus testing during pregnancy; [131562] (2) what advice his Department has given to health care professionals on Group B streptococcus testing during pregnancy; [131563] (3) if he will make it his policy to provide Group B streptococcus testing on the NHS near the end of pregnancy; and if he will make a statement. [131564] Dr. Ladyman: The UK National Screening Committee (NSC) makes recommendations to Ministers on all aspects of screening programmes. There is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that routine screening of all pregnant women in the United Kingdom and the treating of those carrying group B streptococcus with intravenous antibiotics during labour would be beneficial. The NSC has commissioned a further assessment of the existing evidence on screening against the criteria used to assess potential screening programmes. At the adjournment debate on this issue on 9 July 2003, Ministers asked the NSC to review the position thoroughly as quickly as possible and to consider recommendations at its meeting in December 2003. The health technology assessment (HTA) programme considers research into screening for group B streptococcus to be a high priority for further research, add it will consider commissioning further research in more detail at its December meeting. The HTA programme is also currently considering detailed proposals for research into the effectiveness of a rapid test for group B streptococcus carriage that could be used during labour. The Royal College of Obstetricians (RCOG) is producing clinical guidelines on prevention and treatment of early onset neonatal group B streptococcal disease. The Department has commissioned the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to produce guidelines, due in October 2003, on routine ante-natal care. These will both make an important contribution to ensuring that healthcare professionals are better informed about this condition.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

411 c220-1W;411 c89-90W; 131562;131563;131564

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Pregnancy Screening Research Bacterial diseases Streptococcus

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk