• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Cart Facebook Twitter
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • What we do
    • Work for us
    • Contact us
  • News
  • Media
  • Donate

Group B Strep Support HomepageGroup B Strep Support

Working to stop GBS infection in babies

Helpline: 0330 120 0796
New to this site? START HERE →
Quick guide: What is Group B Strep?
Why and when should I test for group B Strep?
What does my test result mean?
Group B Strep infection – know the symptoms
  • Home
  • Information & Support
    • About Group B Strep
      • Group B Strep and pregnancy
      • I’ve tested positive for group B Strep
      • After your baby is born
      • Information if you’re not pregnant
      • Frequently asked questions
    • Group B Strep testing
      • When and why to order a group B Strep test
      • Different types of group B Strep tests
      • Where to order a group B Strep test
      • What does my test result mean?
    • Group B Strep infection in babies
      • Symptoms of group B Strep infection in babies
      • Treating babies for GBS infection
      • After your baby’s GBS infection
      • Group B Strep and stillbirth
      • Making a complaint or taking legal action
    • Support
      • Contact our Helpline
      • Support for Dads & Partners
      • Bereavement Support
      • Peer Support
      • Your stories and experience
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
      • Donate online
      • Giving in memory
      • Pledge your birthday
      • Leave a gift in your will
      • Corporate Support
      • Other ways to give
      • How your donation helps
    • Fundraising and events
      • Fundraising events
      • Fundraising ideas
      • Fundraise in memory
      • Fundraise at work
      • Meet the community team
      • Fundraising Resources
      • Get your school involved
      • Tell us your plans
      • Fundraising hints and tips
      • Meet our inspirational fundraisers
      • Supporter promise
    • Campaign and raise awareness
      • Share your story on our website
      • Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023
      • Group B Strep Awareness Month 2023
      • Parliamentary activity
      • Latest Petition
    • Volunteer
      • Office volunteers
      • Events volunteers
      • Fundraising volunteers
    • Shop
      • All items
      • Information Materials and Publications
      • Clothing
  • Health Professionals
    • Group B Strep in Pregnancy & Babies Conference : 15 May 2024
    • Leaflets & Posters Bulk Order form
    • UK Guidelines
    • Resources for health professionals & those in their care
    • The GBS3 Trial
    • Online training, study days and conferences
    • Changing rates of GBS infection in babies
    • Research Papers
LATEST NEWS

Health & Social Care Committee – Maternity Safety Report

6th July 2021

Group B Strep Support has responded to a report by the Health and Social Care Committee on maternity safety in England.

The report covers a wide range of topics, and includes a section acknowledging group B Strep as “the most frequently identified cause of severe infection in newborns” and that at least one baby a week in the United Kingdom dies from group B Strep infection, with 70 babies a year being left with lifelong disabilities as a result of contracting meningitis or sepsis in their first days of life.

It notes that national clinical guidelines recommend all pregnant women be given information about group B Strep, and that the gold standard ECM testing be used to detect group B Strep carriage.

Following meetings with Nadine Dorries MP, Minister of State for Patient Safety, Suicide Prevention and Mental Health, she wrote to CEOs of all NHS trusts about group B Strep, making clear that trusts “ensure that they are using the ECM testing as of the moment they receive the letter”.

The charity is continuing to press this issue to end the postcode lottery of group B Strep prevention and treatment across the UK.

“We welcome this report and are pleased it highlights the need for hospitals to follow national clinical guidelines on group B Strep.

Too many trusts are still NOT providing all pregnant women with information on group B Strep. And even more are not using the group B Strep specific ECM method to test for group B Strep carriage. This is not good enough. Babies and their families are suffering as a result.”

Jane Plumb MBE, GBSS Chief Executive

You can read our full submission to the Health & Social Care Committee here.

Share this post:

Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on E-mail
More news
« Out Now – our Spring/Summer 2021 Newsletter
Information on group B Strep translated from English into 14 other languages »

Footer

Group B Strep Support
PO Box 203
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 1GF

Helpline: 0330 120 0796
E: info@gbss.org.uk

Contact us

Office Hours:
Weekdays 9am to 5pm

Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Sign up for our emails
Fundraising Regulator logo
Living Wage employer logo
Community Fund logo

Group B Strep Support (GBSS) provides general information only and this should not be considered as a substitute for advice given by a health professional covering any specific situation. | GBSS © 2023 | Registered Charity 1112065 | Company 5587535 | Cookies | Privacy | Terms & Conditions

Helpline: 0330 120 0796