Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 1 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 9 March 2004. It was answered by Stephen Ladyman (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 March 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the costs and benefits of group B Streptococcal screening.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the costs and benefits of group B Streptococcal screening. [158783] Dr. Ladyman: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence recently published a Clinical Guideline on Routine Antenatal Care, which recommends that pregnant women should not be offered routine antenatal screening for group B streptococcus (GBS), because evidence that it will do more good than harm is uncertain. The UK National Screening Committee is currently reviewing the prevention of GBS infection in newborn babies. As part of its work programme, it has asked the National Co-ordinating Centre for Health Technology Assessment to commission research in this area and detailed proposals are being developed.

Secondary information