Sir Nicholas Soames MP asked the Secretary of State for Health to take steps to include group B Strep (GBS) in future work relating to the National Maternity Review (see Maternity Review misses the opportunity to address group B Strep prevention).
Mr Ben Gummer MP, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Care Quality responded:
“The aims of the National Maternity Review were to develop proposals for the future shape of modern, high quality and sustainable maternity services across England. The key proposals aim to improve safety and experience of care for women and their families.
The Government has made clear that maternity care is a priority and on 13 November 2015 announced an ambition to reduce by 50% stillbirths, neonatal deaths, maternal deaths and neonatal brain injuries by 2030. This includes harm and death caused by Group B Streptococcus.
Following the publication of the National Maternity Review we are working with NHS England to establish a governance structure for the maternity work programme which will include engagement with a broad range of charity partners.”
We look forward to working with NHS England to halt the rising rate of group B Strep infections in babies.
