Group B Strep Support has submitted evidence to the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation in England, led by Baroness Valerie Amos.
This investigation matters. Too many babies are still becoming seriously ill or dying because maternity and neonatal care is not as safe or consistent as it should be. For families affected by group B Strep infection, this must be a moment that leads to real change.
Our submission focuses on early‑onset group B Strep infection: group B Strep is a leading cause of newborn sepsis, pneumonia and meningitis. It also highlights wider system issues around information, training, recognition of symptoms and timely escalation of care, issues that affect babies with both early‑ and late‑onset GBS infection.
We set out practical, evidence‑based actions that could reduce avoidable harm and improve safety across England.
Why group B Strep needs urgent attention
Around 800 babies develop group B Strep infection each year in the UK. About 50 die, and many more are left with lifelong disability. These are families whose lives have been changed forever.
Rates of early‑onset group B Strep infection in England have not fallen over time. After a temporary drop during the pandemic, they have risen again. This matters because many cases are potentially preventable.
Families repeatedly tell us the same things: they were not given information about group B Strep, warning signs were missed, concerns were not taken seriously and support after harm was poor. Clinicians tell us how distressing it is to care for babies harmed by an infection they know is often avoidable.
Prevention is being missed
The UK currently relies on a risk‑based approach to prevent early-onset group B Strep infection, offering antibiotics in labour only when certain risk factors are identified.
This approach misses babies. Many who develop infection are born to women and people who have no recognised risk factors. When services are stretched and care is fragmented, opportunities to prevent infection are easily lost.
Other countries have taken a different approach. In the United States, routine testing for group B Strep in pregnancy was followed by a large and sustained fall in early‑onset group B Strep infection. England’s rates remain more than twice as high as those in the US.
Important new evidence from the UK GBS3 trial is expected this year and will inform future policy decisions. Until then, babies continue to be harmed under a system that is known to leave many unprotected.
Information and training gaps put babies at risk
Our submission highlights serious gaps in information and training.
Too many pregnant women and people are not routinely told about group B Strep, despite national guidance. When families are not informed, they are less able to recognise when something is wrong or to seek help quickly. Many first hear about group B Strep only after their baby becomes seriously ill.
Training for maternity and neonatal staff is also inconsistent, despite being listed as a national expectation. This gap between guidance and day‑to‑day practice contributes to variation, missed opportunities and avoidable harm.
What needs to change now
We made four clear recommendations to the Investigation:
- Mandatory group B Strep training for all maternity and neonatal staff
- Standardised information about group B Strep for all pregnant women and people
- Audit and publication of Trust‑level adherence to national guidance
- Stronger accountability for implementing national competency standards frameworks
These are practical actions that can be taken now. They would improve consistency, communication and safety and prevent more babies from becoming seriously ill.
A chance to make a real difference
This investigation must lead to action, not just another report. For group B Strep, progress would mean fewer babies harmed, fewer families traumatised and greater confidence that maternity and neonatal services are learning and improving.
We are ready to work with the Investigation, government, policy makers and the NHS to help turn evidence into lasting change. Families have waited long enough.
More information about the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation can be found here: www.matneoinv.org.uk
