Written question asked by Alison Bennett (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 30 May 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 4 June 2025 (named day). A holding answer was provided on Thursday, 5 June 2025. A substantive answer was provided by Ashley Dalton (Labour) on Thursday, 5 June 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Streptococcus: Testing

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether UK Health Security Agency microbiology laboratories have the capability to carry out group B Streptococcus-specific enriched culture medium testing in accordance with the Public Health England guidance on Standards for Microbial Investigations B 58.

Answer: The provision of group B streptococcal microbiological laboratory testing is under review with clinical stakeholders. At present, this service, with respect to enriched culture medium testing, in accordance with Public Health England’s guidance on Standards for Microbial Investigations B 58, is not offered within regional UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) microbiology laboratories. The Bacteria Reference Department in UKHSA Colindale had specific accreditation under the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for group B Streptococci testing, which provides confirmation of group B Streptococci status and typing, based on the identification of 10 polysaccharide antigens.

Secondary information