Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 July 2026 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Pregnancy: Carbon Monoxide

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to update the Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle to include systematic testing for carbon monoxide in pregnant women who are being poisoned through sources of carbon monoxide other than smoking; and if so, when.

Answer

In line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance, the current version of the Saving Babies' Lives Care Bundle, published April 2025, recommends that carbon monoxide testing is offered for all women at antenatal booking and the 36-week antenatal appointment, and additionally at every antenatal appointment for the groups identified in NICE Guideline 209, which includes women who "tested with 4 parts per million or above at the first antenatal appointment".

As part of the routine review process for each update to the Care Bundle, relevant national guidance, including NICE and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines, alongside evidence and best practice are assessed to determine whether any changes are required. Scoping has not yet begun on a new version of the Saving Babies Lives Care Bundle.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL2513
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Carbon monoxide Poisoning Pregnancy Testing
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk