Written question asked by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 2 June 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 12 June 2003. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 12 June 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of best practice in the treatment of Group B Streptococcal infections in (a) the USA and (b) the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of best practice in the treatment of Group B Streptococcal infections in (a) the USA and (b) the EU; and if he will make a statement. [116918] Jacqui Smith: The Department of Health has not done any assessment of best practice in the treatment of this disease in the United States of America or the European Union. This is a matter of clinical practice, which we know has been receiving much research attention. We expect that obstetric units will have in place a standard form of practice based on the various guidance which currently exists while awaiting consideration of the guidelines, currently being produced by the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which we expect will be published in December 2003. These guidelines will take account of all published work in this area.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 116918; 406 c1081-2W;406 c1084W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: EU countries Medical treatments Standards USA Bacterial diseases Streptococcus
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk