Wednesday 20 May 2026
Missed the live conference? You can still register to watch on demand.
All registered delegates have access to recordings until 21 August 2026.
Location: Online
Group B Strep is the leading cause of severe infection in newborn babies in the UK. Our 2026 Group B Strep in Pregnancy & Babies virtual conference brought together leading experts to share their expertise on group B Strep, prevention policies, testing options, antibiotic usage, and the progress towards a vaccine.
You can still register to access the full conference recordings on demand.
What you’ll get with your ticket:
- Access to the full conference recordings
- Watch at a time that suits you
- Opportunity to revisit key talks and discussions
- 7 hours of CPD (subject to feedback submission)
Recordings are available until 21 August 2026. Register now to ensure access.
Who should register?
The conference is for all health professionals interested in group B Strep and working in maternity / neonatal care, including: Obstetricians, Microbiologists, Midwives, Neonatologists, Public Health Specialists, GPs and Paediatricians.
Event Programme
Morning
09:00 – 09:05 Welcome and Poll: Prof Philip Steer, Emeritus Professor, Imperial College London, Chair of GBSS Clinical Advisory Panel.
09:05 – 09:10 Introduction: Dr Alison Wright, President, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists
09:10 – 09:20 Family Story: Joshua Priest
09:20 – 09:50 Protecting Babies: The Challenge of Group B Strep, Jane Plumb MBE, Co-founder and Chief Executive of Group B Strep Support
09:50 – 10:20 Universal Maternal Testing For group B streptococcus in Late Pregnancy: Prof Kate Walker, Clinical Professor in Obstetrics, University of Nottingham & Prof Jane Daniels, Professor of Clinical Trials, University of Nottingham – Co-Principal Investigators of the GBS3 Trial
10:20 – 10:40 Q&A: with Jane Plumb, Prof Kate Walker, Clinical Professor in Obstetrics, University of Nottingham and Prof Jane Daniels, Professor of Clinical Trials, University of Nottingham – Co-Principal Investigators of the GBS3 Trial
10:40 – 10:45 Half Morning Session Close
10:45 – 11:05 BREAK
11:05 – 11:10 Session Opening
11:10 – 11:30 Update on GBS in the UK – Dr Theresa Lamagni, Section Head, Healthcare-Associated Infection & Antimicrobial Resistance, UK Health Security Agency
11:30 – 11:40 Abstract: Maternal GBS Sepsis Trends in England, 2018 – 2024, Rebecca Guy, Principal Epidemiologist, UK Health Security Agency
11:40 – 11:50 Abstract: Learn From Negligence Claims Related to GBS, Dr Katie Evans, National Neonatal Clinical Fellow, NHS Resolution
11:50 – 12:30 Panel Discussion – Barriers to Current Guideline Implementation, with Diane Jones, Chief Nursing Officer, NHS South East London ICB, Prof Trixie McAree, National Midwifery Lead for Continuity of Care at NHS England, Prof Kate Walker, Clinical Professor in Obstetrics, University of Nottingham, Prof Jane Daniels, Professor of Clinical Trials, Nottingham University, and Dr Rachel Walsh, Consultant Neonatologist, NHS Resolution
12:30 – 12:35 Morning Session Close
Afternoon
12:35 – 13:20 LUNCH
13:20 – 13:25 Welcome and Poll: Afternoon Chair – Prof Edward Morris CBE FRCOG, Regional Medical Director, East of England, NHS England. Past President, RCOG. Chair of GBSS Board of Trustees
13:25 – 13:35 Family Story: Nana Brago & Stephen Crocker
13:35 – 13:55 Updates to the RCOG GBS Green-top Guideline: Prof Philip Steer, Emeritus Professor, Imperial College London, Chair of GBSS Clinical Advisory Panel
13:55 – 14:15 Personalised Care in Screening: Jasmine Leonce, National Speciality Adviser for Maternity, NHS England
14:15 – 14:25 Abstract: Circulating Levels of IL-17A in Group B Streptococcus-Colonized Pregnant Women: A promising indicator of the risk of neonatal complications. Narjis Amar, PHD Student in Immunology, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
14:25 – 14:35 Abstract: Opportunities for Improving Prevention of Group B Streptococcus Early Onset Disease Under Current Intrapartum Antibiotic Prophylaxis Guidelines, Ten U.S. Sites, 2016-2023, Dr Jeffry Mutuc, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Bacterial Diseases (DBD), Pertussis and Streptococcus Epidemiology Branch (PSEB)
14:35 – 14:55 Panel Discussion – Priorities for Immediate Implementation, with Prof Phil Steer, Emeritus Professor, Imperial College London and Chair of GBSS Clinical Advisory Panel, Dr Jasmine Leonce, National Maternity Improvement & Speciality Advisor, NHS England, Dr Jim Gray, Consultant Microbiologist, Birmingham Women & Children’s Hospitals and Narjis Amar, PHD Student in Immunology, Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
14:55 – 15:00 Half Afternoon Session Close
15:00 – 15:20 BREAK
15:20 – 15:25 Session Opening
15:25 – 15:55 Group B Strep Vaccines, An Overview: Prof Paul Heath, Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases at City St George’s, University of London
15:55 – 16:10 Minervax’s GBS Vaccine, Lidia Oostvogels, Chief Medical Officer, Minervax
16:10 – 16:20 Abstract: Are Blood Cultures Necessary in Well-Appearing Neonates At Risk of Early-Onset Sepsis?, Francesca Miselli, Neonatologist at University Hospital Modena, Italy
16:20 – 16:30 Abstract: Methods to Improve the Diagnosis of Group B Streptococcus Carriage in Pregnancy, Dr Katie Stephens, Academic Clinical Training Fellow, University of Cambridge
16:30 – 16:50 Panel Discussion – Priorities for Future GBS Prevention – Nana Brago & Stephen Crocker, Parents to Jamie, Prof Paul Heath, Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases at City St George’s, University of London, Lidia Oostvogels, Chief Medical Officer, Minervax, Francesca Miselli, Neonatologist at University Hospital Modena, Italy, Dr Katie Stephens, Academic Clinical Training Fellow, University of Cambridge, and Ali Stanley, Clinical Midwife & Senior Lecturer in Midwifery, University Hospitals Sussex
16:50 – 17:00 Summary, Poll and Close: Afternoon Chair
17:00 Ends
The conference is accredited for 7 hours of CPD by the Royal College of Pathologists, available to delegates who complete the feedback form.
Conference Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
This conference was supported by our sponsors.
Financial support was provided as an Independent Medical Education Grant from Pfizer Inc. Pfizer has had no involvement in the content of the program
Academic Partner
