On 12 January 2015, Margaret McDougall (MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour) lodged Motion S4M-12040 Awareness of Group B Streptococcus:
“That the Parliament notes with concern what it understands is the lack of public awareness regarding group B streptococcus (GBS) and the effects that it can have on newborn babies; understands that, in the UK, GBS infects over 500 babies every year and that 340 will develop early-onset GBS infection and one in 10 of them will die; believes that the incidence of early-onset GBS infection in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has remained unchanged since prevention strategies were first introduced in 2003 and that, in Scotland, it has increased from 0.21 per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 0.47 in 2012; understands that many countries, including the USA, Canada, Germany and Spain, offer routine testing for GBS at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy; notes that, although the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists does not recommend routine testing, the Scottish Government is not bound by this approach, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to introduce guidelines so that hospitals in the west of Scotland and beyond provide expectant mothers with information regarding GBS and either offer routine testing or provide information on how testing can be accessed privately.”
Cross party support is being sought for this motion.
Then on 13 January 2015, the Public Petitions Committee met and discussed the group B Strep petition PE01505. They decided to write to the Scottish Government asking them:
- What types of tests are used in Scotland to detect group B Strep and when are they used?
- Will the Government ensure expectant mothers are routinely informed about group Step B and how to undertake private testing?
- Will the Government undertake an independent review into group B Step in light of its high incidence in the Scottish population?
- What is the current policy in Scotland for expectant mothers who request testing or screening for group B Step from the NHS?
