Latest News
Watch this space for the latest news about the activities of GBSS and for other announcements and news about Group B Strep.
If you have some news we should be sharing on this page, please contact us. on this page 2013 July is Group B Strep Awareness MonthGBS is the most common cause of serious infection in newborn babies and usually preventable. Many western countries routinely offer pregnant women testing for GBS, good quality testing is rarely available in the NHS.
We'll be raising much greater awareness of GBS during July.
Can you help? Please visit our dedicated page here to give you some ideas, or call us on 01444 416176 or email us at info@gbss.org.uk to discuss this.
↑ top2013 ePetitionPlease read and sign the petition seeking the routine offering of testing for group B Strep to all women late in pregnancy - click here.
↑ top2013 Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists' GBS Patient Information - RevisionThe RCOG consults health professionals and users of Obstetrics & Gynaecology services on draft publications. They are now reviewing their patient information on "Preventing group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection in newborn babies" which was first published in 2006. Please comment on this document:
The consultation closes at midnight on 17 February 2013.
Our Chief Executive, Jane Plumb MBE, said, "It's so important for people to comment on these documents and help the RCOG ensure that they really do meet the needs of new and expectant parents and their health professionals."
We hope many individuals and health professionals will suggest improvements too.
You can download GBSS's comments by clicking here.
↑ top2012 The National Screening Committee rules against screening for group B StrepThe UK National Screening Committee (NSC) has again decided not to recommend antenatal screening for group B Strep, with no review for another 3-4 years. Their document for public consultation is available here, as are the comments made during the public consultation by more than 200 individuals, health professionals, MPs, charities and medical bodies. Over 90% of the comments they received were for screening – so far, the NSC has failed to respond to any of these comments.
Our Chief Executive, Jane Plumb MBE said, "The decision not to recommend routine screening for group B Strep is devastating. Every year, hundreds of newborn babies suffer illness, disability and even death due to group B Strep. This decision means more future babies will suffer needlessly from infections which could and should have been prevented – some of these precious babies will die, others will survive with life-long disabilities, most will thankfully recovery but for all of their families it will be a traumatic. I am at a loss to understand why the NSC has refused to see that the current situation in the UK is unacceptable and that the introduction of routine screening is the best way forward."
We may have lost this battle, but we’ve not lost the war – but we’ll need your help.
Please write to your local MP and inform them of your disappointment over the decision and asking them to table parliamentary questions on the subject. Click here for information on how to get in touch with your MP.
Please also write to your local media (newspaper, radio, TV station) and tell them how you as a local campaigner on this issue are so disappointed in this decision (our press release at http://bit.ly/UAC4wK may help).
↑ top2012 Little change in preventable group B Strep infections in England, Wales & Northern Ireland combined2012 Little chance in preventable group B Strep infections in England, Wales & Northern Ireland combined
The incidence of GBS infection in babies remained relatively unchanged in 2011 compared with 2010 in England & Wales, though there has been a welcome fall in Northern Ireland*. The reason for this fall is unclear although the numbers for Northern Ireland need to be treated with caution due to small sample sizes. However, the effect of the local awareness campaign of 2011 cannot be ruled out.
The overall trend in England, Wales & Northern Ireland is of a rising incidence of group B Strep infections in babies, despite national guidelines. The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists introduced Green Top Guideline 36 against GBS infection in newborn babies in 2003. The number of reported cases in England, Wales & Northern Ireland for 2004, the following year, and for 2011 are:
2004 : England, Wales & Northern Ireland
207 (0.32 per 1,000 live births) early-onset GBS infections in babies aged 0-6 days
104 (0.16 per 1,000 live births) late-onset GBS infections in babies aged 7-90 days
2011 : England, Wales & Northern Ireland
281 (0.38 per 1,000 live births) early-onset GBS infections in babies aged 0-6 days
192 (0.26 per 1,000 live births) late onset GBS infections in babies aged 7-90 days
The early-onset GBS infections which are often potentially preventable by identifying situations which mean a baby is at raised risk of developing GBS infection in the first few days of life and offering the the mother intravenous antibiotics in labour to minimise that risk. These recognised 'risk factors' are listed here. Until a vaccine is developed, the late-onset GBS infections are not currently preventable - early recognition of signs and symptoms consistent with late onset GBS infection and early treatment is vital.
Disappointingly, reported early-onset GBS infections in England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined increased between 2004 and 2011 by over 35%, with the rate per 1,000 live births increasing by almost 20%. The change since 2010 has been minimal.
The situation in Northern Ireland is markedly different, although the samples sizes are small and therefore it is difficult to reach conclusions from the data. However, the data shows that reported early onset GBS infections almost halved, from 11 (0.51 per 1,000 live births) in 2004 to 6 (0.47 per 1,000) in 2011. Reported late onset GBS infections increased from 3 (0.14 per 1,000 live births) in 2004 to 12 (0.47 per 1,000) in 2011.
*GBS infections in babies aged 0-90 days are reported on a voluntary basis to the Health Protection Agency and reported each November. Data are not collected for stillborn babies. Click on this link to read the reports from 2001 to 2011.
↑ top2012 Charities & Health Profs call for routine GBS screeningGroup B Strep Support and other leading charities, along with health professionals have sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Health asking that all women in the late stages of pregnancy are routinely offered screening for group B Strep. Below is the letter we have sent to Mr Hunt and we would welcome your support.
In countries where screening is routine, the number of reported GBS infections in newborn babies has fallen, while in the UK the number of reported cases continues to rise. There is an urgent need for action as the longer the status quo remains the more babies will needlessly die or suffer serious life-long disability.
The UK National Screening Committee is currently considering whether routine screening should be made available across the UK. They meet on Tuesday, 13th November 2012 to make a decision on this important issue.
You can read the letter to Mr Hunt by clicking here.
↑ top2012 Community forum about group B StrepPlease join and contribute to the HealthUnlocked forum we've created for those affected by group B Strep in some way. Here you can connect with others who have been affected and share your experiences with each other. Click here to visit the community.
↑ top2012 National Screening Committee GBS ReviewFinding against routine antenatal GBS screening to pregnant women, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the UK National Screening Committee's review is to be considered at their meeting on 13 November 2012 - a decision is expected to be announced in December. More information here
↑ top2012 Women want info and testing for GBS in pregnancy given routinely by NHSA recent survey found that just over half (54%) of women aged 20-35 have heard of Group B Strep, but only 20% know what it is. Whilst this is a huge improvement since 2006 when 9 out of 10 pregnant women had not heard of group B Strep (click here), it remains relatively unchanged from the survey in 2010 (click here).
Once young women are made aware of the dangers of Group B Strep, they strongly agree that pregnant women should be offered information, tests and in the case of infection, antibiotics for Group B Strep. This validates GBSS’s campaign goals of raising awareness of Group B Strep and increasing access to tests and treatments.
When asked specifically if they would agree to receive antibiotics in labour if it would minimise the risk of serious infection for their baby a large majority answer ‘yes’ with a sizable minority answer ‘probably’ rather than ‘definitely’.
Survey conducted by ComRes of 1,000 20-35 year old women in the UK online between 28th October and 1 November 2011 to find out more about the survey from their website click here.
To find out how the information is broken down and to easily understand what it all means, click here
↑ top2012 GBS Report launched in House of CommonsOn Thursday 28th June at a meeting in the House of Commons a new report into infant death and disability caused by group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection was launched. For pictures and videos from the event, click here.
GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies, causing death and disability.
The meeting was hosted by Alison Seabeck MP and heard from
- Professor Philip Steer, Emeritus Professor at Imperial College, consultant obstetrician at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital & Chair of the Group B Strep Support Medical Advisory Panel
- Charlotte Cheshire, whose son Adam suffered from GBS infection
- Jane Plumb MBE, Chief Executive of Group B Strep Support, who prepared the new report.
The report is published as the UK National Screening Committee considers the evidence for testing all pregnant women for GBS at a time when the number of cases of early onset GBS infection in newborn babies in the UK continues to rise.
The report clearly shows that the current system of using “risk factors” to identify who to offer preventative medicine is failing to halt the increase in reported cases. In countries that have introduced routine testing of pregnant women with preventative medicine given to carriers, there have been dramatic falls in reported cases.
A recent survey has shown that women in the UK would welcome the opportunity to be tested for GBS in the later stages of pregnancy and would accept intravenous antibiotics during labour to reduce the chance of their newborn baby being infected with GBS and the potentially devastating consequences.
Group B Strep Support recently launched an online petition calling for better prevention of group B Strep infection in babies in the UK which has over 13,500 signatures http://www.gbss.org.uk/epetition.
Group B Strep Support is calling for
- Sensitive GBS testing to be offered by the NHS to all pregnant women
- All pregnant women to be given information about GBS as part of routine antenatal care
- Intravenous antibiotics to be offered during labour to all women with identified risk factors (including GBS carriage detected by testing)
Jane Plumb MBE Chief Executive of Group B Strep Support who put together the report said
“The continued rise in early onset GBS infection in babies clearly demonstrates that the current system of using “risk factors” to identify babies at risk of these infections is failing. The number of reported cases of early-onset GBS infection in the UK continues to rise (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, by 32% since the risk factor strategy was introduced in 2003) while, in countries that introduced routine testing, the numbers have fallen dramatically. The evidence from across the globe in favour of introducing routine testing is compelling and I hope and believe that the National Screening Committee will reach the same conclusion and recommend that routine testing is introduced across the UK.
We are delighted by the level of support we have received from politicians, this includes the Prime Minister David Cameron who, while in opposition, tabled motions in parliament in support of testing for GBS.”
Professor Philip Steer, Emeritus Professor at Imperial College said
“Group B Strep infection is the commonest infection complicating labour and the newborn period, and the evidence is now compelling that in the UK the problem is increasing, affecting up to as many as 1,000 babies (and their families) per year. For too many, the complication is fatal. This is despite reductions of four fifths or more in the rate of infections due to GBS in many other developed countries, where routine screening of mothers at 35-37 weeks gestation has been introduced.
Although the National Screening Committee has previously declined to advise screening because of a lack of UK studies showing effectiveness, we hope that the accumulated evidence from so many other developed countries will persuade them that it is now time to introduce screening in the UK.”
Media Doctor, Dr Chris Steele MBE said
“At present there is no national testing for group B Strep in pregnancy. The tests that are done are not designed to detect GBS and give a high level of falsely negative results, meaning women think they are free from GBS when they are not. Tests are available for GBS which pose no risk to mother or baby, but they are currently only available privately. They should be offered on the NHS.
The Government should act now to ensure women get the very best advice and support during their pregnancy. This should include information on the serious nature of Group B Strep infection, the offer of testing, followed by appropriate antibiotics during labour to protect the baby from infection.”
Charlotte Cheshire from Telford and parent of Adam, said
“The consequence of group B Strep infection is devastating.
When my son Adam was born in March 2011 he appeared a healthy little boy. However, by the morning after his birth he was grunting and not feeding and the staff realised something was wrong. Adam stopped breathing, began to have seizures and was running a high fever. He was placed on a cocktail of antibiotics while the staff confirmed the diagnosis of group B strep infection. We were told he was not expected to live and, if he did survive, he could be severely disabled.
Adam survived but was in intensive care for three weeks and will require intensive, ongoing monitoring throughout his childhood. At present, Adam’s identified long term issues are severe hearing damage and problems with his sight, but it could have been so much worse.
Yet all this could have been averted – if I’d had a sensitive GBS test late in pregnancy, it would almost definitely have found GBS and, with antibiotics from the start of labour, Adam could have been protected.
I am Canadian and if I had chosen to have Adam in my native country, sensitive testing for GBS is routine as it is in many other western and European countries and we could have avoided the distress, trauma and consequences of GBS infection.
I believe a national programme should be introduced as soon as possible to reduce the number of families that have to suffer the horrors of GBS infection in their newborn babies.
I am calling on every politician in the land to demand that the health services in the UK act now and offer screening to pregnant women against this life threatening infection.”
You can download the new report here.
↑ top2012 GBS Vaccine MeetingNovartis Vaccines hosted a day long meeting about developing a vaccine against group B Strep infection. Still in the development phase, a safe and reliable vaccine when available will revolutionise GBS prevention.
↑ top2012 GBS Early Day Motions in ParliamentMark Durkan MP and Mike Hancock MP have each tabled EDMs - read more about them by clicking here.
Please write, email or go to see your MP and ask him/her to sign both of these EDMs (and ask them to sign the petition too http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/4854).
↑ top2012 GBSS responds to anti-screening mythsGBSS's medical advisory panel respond to common myths on why routine screening for group B Strep should not be introduced in the UK. You can read the article in the BMJ by clicking here.
↑ top2012 Prince Charles awards MBE to our Chief ExecOn 14 February 2012, our Chief Executive, Jane Plumb, and her family travelled to Buckingham Palace where they were all delighted for her to be given her MBE by HRH Prince of Wales.
Here are a couple of pictures to share with you:
And, with her husband, Robert Plumb, a little later in the day on the steps of Buckingham Palace:
↑ top2012 GBS on Radio 4's Woman's HourClick here to listen to Woman's Hour featuring mum, Charlotte Cheshire, and Prof Philip Steer talking about group B Strep.
↑ top2012 Hong Kong introduces GBS screeningWith effect from January 2012, the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA) and the Department of Health (DH) have jointly launched a screening programme for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) for pregnant women attending HA and DH for antenatal services. Click here for the formal notification.
↑ top2012 GBSS Founder recognised in New Year's Honours ListJane Plumb, joint founder of charity Group B Strep Support, has been awarded an MBE for services to Child Healthcare in the 2012 New Year Honours List in recognition of her work to prevent potentially deadly group B Streptococcal infection in newborn babies. Jane said: “I’m delighted to be awarded this honour by Her Majesty the Queen," said Jane. "I was stunned when I received the news. This award recognises the unswerving commitment of all Group B Strep Support’s many supporters and medical advisors over the last 15 years and that of my amazing family. I’m incredibly proud of everything we have achieved together so far. Sadly, there is still so much more we need to do. Babies will continue to suffer and die needlessly until routine antenatal care in the UK includes informing women about group B Strep and offering them sensitive testing late in pregnancy, as is done in so many other countries.” For more, click here.
↑ top2011 Poll shows young women want national screening for GBSA new opinion poll has found that most young women support the introduction of a national screening programme to detect Group B Strep in pregnant women.
A recent survey conducted by ComRes on behalf of Group B Strep Support demonstrated that while more than half (54%) the women aged between 20-35 surveyed had heard of group B Strep, only 20% knew what it was.
The survey also showed that once young women are made aware of the dangers of group B Strep in pregnancy the overwhelming majority believe that pregnant women should always be offered information, tests and, when the bacteria is detected, antibiotics in labour.
• 92% believe that information on group B Strep should be given to all pregnant women
• 92% would welcome the opportunity for pregnant women to be screened for group B Strep in the later stages of pregnancy and believe this should be offered to women routinely
• 95% believe antibiotics should be offered in labour to women with group B Strep and that they themselves would definitely or probably accept the offer (89%)
For the press release on the ComRes poll click here. For the ComRes site and link to the poll, click here. To download the poll itself, click here.
↑ top2011 Incidence of preventable GBS infection in babies in England, Wales & Northern Ireland rises againThe incidence of GBS infection in babies rose again to 0.41 per 1,000 live births in 2010. Data on how many group B Strep infections in newborn babies reported in 2010 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were published in November 2011.
The number of newborn babies suffering these largely preventable infections continues to rise – by over 32% between 2003 (when risk-based prevention guidelines were introduced in the UK) and 2010 for early-onset GBS infections.
We had hoped we’d see a drop but sadly, that’s not happened - instead an extra 35 babies were reported as suffering early onset GBS infection, bringing the total number of voluntarily reported cases to 302. Click here to see the report.
↑ top2011 Northern Ireland Assembly Health Committee (December)Update on Group B Streptococcus - The Committee noted correspondence from Group B Strep Support and agreed to write to the Department about the issues raised. The Committee also agreed to hold a further evidence session with departmental officials on Group B Streptococcus.
The Committee noted a response from the Minister regarding Group B Strep testing.
Minutes from the meeting can be found here.
↑ top2011 Northern Ireland Assembly Health Committee (September)Evidence session on Group B Streptococcus - Group B Strep Support
The Committee took evidence from:
Ms Jane Plumb, Chair, Group B Strep Support
Professor Philip Steer, Chair, Group B Strep Support Medical Panel
Dr Alison Bedford Russell, Group B Strep Support Medical Panel
Mrs Jillian Boyd, Group B Strep Support
Mr Andrew Boyd, Group B Strep Support
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
Departmental evidence session on Group B Streptococcus
The Committee took evidence from:
Dr Elizabeth Mitchell, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, DHSSPS
Dr Margaret Boyle, Senior Medical Officer, DHSSPS
Dr Paul Fogarty, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, South Eastern Trust
Dr Stan Craig, Consultant Neonatologist, Belfast Trust
A question and answer session ensued. The Chairperson thanked the witnesses for attending.
Northern Ireland Assembly Briefing Paper - click here
Group B Strep Support evidence - click here
Northern Ireland Department of Health evidence - click here
Minutes from the meeting can be found here.
↑ top2011 New e-petition for better prevention of group B Strep infections in babiesPlease sign this new e-petition and ask your friends and family too as well. You can share it easily using facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn from the e-petition page.
Once we get 100,000 signatures, we can expect it to be debated in Parliament - surely a massive step forward!
Please on this link to sign the petition, which is open to all UK citizens and residents. The text of the e-petition is:
"We, the undersigned, ask the Department of Health to ensure that: every woman is routinely given accurate information about group B Streptococcus (group B Strep or GBS) during antenatal care; every low-risk woman is offered a sensitive test for GBS, ideally at 35-37 weeks of pregnancy; and every higher-risk woman is offered antibiotics in labour. GBS is the UK’s most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies. Offering antibiotics in labour to Mums whose babies are at raised risk would prevent most of these infections. Babies are at raised risk when their Mums are carrying GBS during the current pregnancy, have previously had a baby with GBS infection, whose labour starts or waters break before 37 weeks of pregnancy, whose waters break more than 18 hours before delivery or who have a fever in labour. Such prevention strategies massively reduce GBS infection in newborn babies (in the USA by almost 80%) yet the UK incidence is up 16% since 2003."
No of Signatures:
0 15 August 2011
605 18 August 2011
↑ top2010 To fill a void, by Nikki HardingNikki Harding became aware of the devastation Group B Strep can cause all too
late. The lack of knowledge and understanding of this highly preventable
bacteria, coupled with her own insurmountable grief has compelled her to diarise
a detailed account of her life changing event through her newly released
book. 
To read more about this book, please click here
↑ top2010 More research shows a testing strategy is more cost effective than a risk factor strategyNew research suggests that the NHS could actually make significant cost savings by introducing ECM testing for all pregnant women at 35-37 weeks and offering antibiotics in labour accordingly.
The research, published in BJOG - an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, found that the cheapest preventative strategy would be to give antibiotics to all women in labour, but this would carry major disadvantages, such as medicalising childbirth and potentially increasing antibiotic resistance. Excluding this option, they found that "screening based on culture at 35-37 weeks' gestation, with antibiotics given to all those women who deliver prior to 35 weeks becomes the most cost-effective option.”
They calculated that the risk factor approach currently used in the UK costs GBP50,000 per infection prevented, but that this would fall to GBP45,000 if routine screening were introduced (screening is more efficient because it prevents more cases). This is a purely financial advantage, without taking into account the savings from fewer babies needing intensive care, and without considering the distress to parents who lose their baby when this could easily have been prevented.
↑ top2010 Experiences of Legal ActionWould you help us help families considering legal action relating to GBS infection? Please support the Experiences Register – you will be contributing to our work and your experiences will inform what we are doing. Click here for more details.
↑ top2010 Incidence of preventable GBS infection in babies in the UK remains unchangedThe incidence of GBS infection in babies unchanged in 2009 - Data on how many group B Strep infections in newborn babies reported in 2009 in England and Wales were published in November 2010. The incidence has been rising – by over 28% between 2003 and 2008 for early-onset GBS infections. Disappointingly, there’s been little change in 2009 – we had hoped we’d see a drop but sadly, that’s not happened. Click on this link to see the report.
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↑ top2010 Revised US GBS Guidelines Revised Guidelines for the Prevention of Perinatal Group B Streptococcal (GBS) Disease were published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on November 19, 2010 and replace their previous guidelines, published in 2002.
The revised guidelines are available by clicking here.
↑ top2010 GBS Symposium in LondonCongratulations to the Health Protection Agency for organising a superb Group B Strep Symposium, with speakers from around the world, for students, laboratory researchers, scientists, clinicians (particularly neonatologists, paediatricians, obstetricians & gynaecologists) and public health specialists, providing the latest updates in the field of neonatal disease.
The symposium was held on 17th June 2010.
Jane Plumb, GBSS's Chief Executive and joint founder, spoke at the conference - copies of her slides are available here.
↑ top2009 Petition to the Prime MinisterOn 11 March 2009, a petition of almost 3200 names was submitted to the Prime Minister asking him to ensure all women are offered the chance to be tested for group B Strep during pregnancy - click on this link for more information. On 4 June 2009, the Government confirmed they will not offer routine screening for GBS to all pregnant women - so no surprises there.
↑ top2009 Reception at StormontOn 25 February 2009, a reception and information event was held at Stormont for Irish MPs and medical professionals. The event was hosted by Northern Ireland’s new junior minister, Mr Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA, and Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP MLA. The charity’s founder and chairman, Jane Plumb attended along with Professor Philip Steer, the chairman of the charity’s medical advisory panel. Mr Donaldson said “Northern Ireland has the highest rate of GBS infection in babies in the UK. We in Northern Ireland have the opportunity to lead the way in the UK by raising awareness of GBS and introducing testing to protect our babies from this devastating and preventable infection”. Our very grateful thanks to Susan Kyle a GBSS supporter who organised the event. Read more about it by clicking this link.
↑ top2008 DEVANI Research Project into developing a vaccine against GBSDEVANI (an abbreviation of the title DEvelopment of a Vaccine Against Neonatal Infections) is a European Commission Framework Seven project (HEALTH-F5-2007-200481), which began on 1st January 2008, is to provide useful information for the development of a vaccine against infections in babies caused by GBS. Public Health Institutes and Universities from Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom (Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections) are all participating in the project. The study is coordinated by Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Siena, Italy - click here for more information on the Health Protection Agency website, click here for more information about the project itself and click here for a chart summarising the project.
↑ top2008 GBS Infection on the Increase GBS infections in babies on the increase in the UK and these infections are also increasing in adults. The Health Protection Agency (and formerly the CDR) reported 470 GBS infections in babies aged 0-90 days in 2008, an increase of 51% since 2003 (when RCOG's guidelines were introduced). That’s 3 more babies a week ... and this at a time when national prevention guidelines were being implemented. Click here to view the detail.
↑ top2008 Research - Oral Antibiotics and preterm labour / rupture of membranesResearch published in the Lancet on 18 September 2008 suggested that low-dose oral antibiotics given to pregnant women to delay premature birth might cause long-term harm to their babies.
And how does this study relates to antibiotics prescribed against GBS infection? It doesn’t. Antibiotics given to mothers and babies for GBS infection are given intravenously and in large doses so that the infection is properly treated. The study published in the Lancet related to giving low-does oral antibiotics to mothers who were in threatened preterm labour, or who had preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes. For more information, click here
↑ top2008 - Mourning SarahJust released is a book, Mourning Sarah. It's a mother's story of the death of her newborn baby from group B Strep infection. It's a story of grief and recovery - one theme is empowerment. Women must ask for the healthcare they deserve for themselves and their unborn and newborn babies. For more information, click here.
↑ top2008 Petition to the Prime MinisterOn 23 January 2008, we delivered our Petition to No 10 which over 11,000 people had signed. GBSS supporters, representatives from Pregnancy & Birth, MPs Nicholas Soames, Theresa May, Nia Griffith, Philip Hollobone, Jeffrey Donaldson and Alasdair McDonnell and celebrity Doctor Chris Steele from TV’s This Morning all went to Downing Street to present the petition to the Prime Minister. Thanks to everyone who signed the petition and. You can see the responses (two of them!) to the petition on our website by clicking here.
If you’re as disappointed with the response as we are, please do make your views know – please write to your MP and tell them what you believe should be happening, and ask for his/her support. You can find out how to do this by clicking this link.
↑ top2007 Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists – audit on GBS disease January 2007In January 2007 the RCOG published the findings of their audit of practice in UK obstetric units against the recommendations of their guideline against GBS infection in newborn babies. The audit examined the organisation of testing, the use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) and the management of neonates born with increased risk of early-onset GBS disease. The clinical directors of each obstetric unit were contacted and asked to participate in this audit. A senior midwife, consultant obstetrician and consultant neonatologist from each unit were then asked to complete a short questionnaire about their own practice in relation to preventing GBS disease.
The results of the audit have now been published in a RCOG report. A summary version has also been created. Both versions of the report are available in .pdf and paper formats. The .pdf reports can be downloaded from http://www.rcog.org.uk/our-profession/good-practice/audit/prevention-neonatal-group-b-streptoccocal-disease-audit
↑ top2006 GBS Survey by Pregnancy & Birth Magazine Pregnancy & Birth Magazine According surveyed 1,000 pregnant women and new mothers about GBS. The key results are :
- Nine out of 10 have 'never heard of Group B Strep' (87%) and of the few that have heard of it, TWO-THIRDS have 'no idea how dangerous this infection can be' (67%).
- Most of the 13% who had heard about Group B Strep 'found out by chance' on the internet.
- At present, NO test is given on the NHS and the only reliable test costs £32 privately. An overwhelming 92% of pregnant women surveyed say they would pay to have this test if they knew about it, although 40% of these say they 'can't really afford it'
- 100% of survey respondents say the they 'would have the test if it was available on the NHS'
More details can be found in this press release from the magazine.
↑ top2006 Online GBS Learning Package LaunchedIn May 2006, the UK National Screening Committee launched their GBS online learning package. This learning package has been developed to raise awareness of GBS amongst health care professionals and it provides a comprehensive multidisciplinary interactive teaching resource. Developed by the Women’s Health Specialist Library (part of the National Library for Health), the learning package is based upon the current UK guidelines published by the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. It is divided into three sections - antenatal; delivery; and postnatal. Within each section there is the option to access:
- an introduction to GBS
- different clinical scenarios
- a series of quiz questions to test knowledge
- a FAQs section
Each section is self contained making easy access for busy health care professionals and allowing individuals to work through relevant sections at their preferred pace.
You can access the GBS learning pack- which is primarily aimed at health care professionals - at http://www.gbs-learning-tool.co.uk/gbs/Pages/AN_Intro.asp?TopID=9&PgID=27&SubTopID=2
↑ top2006 Health Protection Agency Standard Operating Procedure now available on testing for GBS carriageThe Health Protection Agency (HPA) has issued their BSOP (Bacteriology Standard Operating Procedure) No 58 - Screening swabs for Group B Streptococcal Carriage - see www.hpa-standardmethods.org.uk. In order to obtain optimum detection of GBS carriage, this BSOP recommends taking swabs from both the lower vagina AND rectum from pregnant women and recommends they should be processed using enriched culture media. It also states that the results should be reported urgently.
As a BSOP issued by the Health Protection Agency, it's the minimum standard recommended by the HPA for swab testing for group B streptococcal carriage. Indeed, All NHS laboratories accredited by Clinical Pathology Accreditation (UK) must have in place standard operating procedures that are based on, or give equivalent results to, these BSOP Standards.
↑ top2005 Petition to the Prime MinisterOn Tuesday, 8th November 2005, GBSS delivered a petition of 5060 names to Downing Street. That there were as many signatures as this in the 2 month period the petition was running is testament to the strength of feeling in the country about this issue. This petition called on the Government to ensure sensitive testing for GBS carriage is routinely and freely available for all pregnant women in the UK and that relevant health professionals are fully informed about GBS so they can advise expectant parents in their care.
We asked the Prime Minister to let us know:
1. What steps were being take to ensure that all health professionals involved in maternity care – particularly obstetricians, midwives and GPs – are fully educated and informed about the issues around GBS prevention, so that they can confidently and appropriately advise the expectant parents in their care.
2. When sensitive testing for GBS carriage will be routinely available on the NHS for all women late in pregnancy in the UK; and
3. What steps he will be taking to ensure the recently issued Health Protection Agency guidelines for tests for GBS carriage, recognised as optimal by not only the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, but also by leading experts in the issue of GBS prevention, are used within the National Health Service.
↑ top2005 Parliamentary Early Day Motion 538: Group B Streptococcus On 6th July 2005, Mr David Cameron, MP for Witney, tabled another all-party Early Day Motion (EDM) about GBS. You can view the EDM 538 which 94 MPs signed at http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2005-06/538i to see who has already signed. MPs can no longer sign this motion, but you could still ask your MP for his/her support for GBSS's campaign for high quality information on GBS to be made available to all expectant parents, together with reliable testing to be offered to all pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. For more information about how to do this, click here.
↑ top2004 Parliamentary Early Day Motion 973: Group B StreptococcusMr David Cameron, MP for Witney, tabled another all-party Early Day Motion (EDM) about GBS. You can view the EDM at http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2003-04/973 to see who signed. Although it is no longer possible for MPs to sign this motion, you could still ask your MP for his/her support for GBSS's campaign for high quality information on GBS to be made available to all expectant parents, together with reliable testing to be offered to all pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. For more information about how to do this, click here.
↑ top2004 UK Research into the incidence of GBS infectionA research paper was published in January 2004 which, for the first time, establishes the minimum current burden of GBS disease in UK and Irish infants. The study identified cases of invasive GBS disease in infants younger than 90 days between 1 February 2000 and 28 February 2001 through surveillance involving paediatricians, microbiologists, and parents. 568 cases were identified, equivalent to a total incidence of 0.72 per 1000 live births; the incidence for early-onset disease was 0.48 per 1000, and for late-onset disease was 0.24 per 1000. Risk factors were identifiable for 218 (58%) cases of early-onset disease. 53 infants died (overall 9.7%). However, the study states, “Paediatricians and microbiologists failed to report 44% and 21% of cases respectively. The capture-recapture analysis suggests that the total number of cases for England, Wales & the Channel Islands may actually be 23% (21%-40%) higher than estimated from reports alone."UK research published in June 2003 estimates that the true incidence of GBS infection in newborn babies may be as high as 3.6 in every 1,000 babies born. Lancet. 2003 Jun 7;363(9373):1953-4. Estimated early-onset group B streptococcal neonatal disease. Luck S, Torny M, d'Agapeyeff K, Pitt A, Heath P, Breathnach A, Russell AB. (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/)So, the figures reported in this study should be looked upon as absolute minimum incidence figures – using them as they are will not only underestimate the true incidence of GBS infection but, inevitably, also underestimate the risks to babies from GBS infection. Group B streptococcal disease in UK and Irish infants younger than 90 days. Heath PT, Balfour G, Weisner AM, Efstratiou A, Lamagni TL, Tighe H, O'Connell LA, Cafferkey M, Verlander NQ, Nicoll A, McCartney AC; PHLS Group B Streptococcus Working Group. Lancet. 2004 Jan 24;363(9405):292-4 (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/).
↑ top2003 Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists Summary of GuidelinesThe Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists has produced a one-page summary of their Green Top Guidelines Prevention of Early Onset Neonatal Group B Streptococcal Disease (36) November 2003.
↑ top2003 Parliamentary Early Day Motion 1211: Group B Streptococcus On 14 May 2003, Mr David Cameron, MP for Witney, tabled an all-party Early Day Motion (EDM) about GBS. You can view the EDM at this link to see who signed. MPs can no longer sign this motion, but you could still ask your MP for his/her support for GBSS's campaign for high quality information on GBS to be made available to all expectant parents, together with reliable testing to be offered to all pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. For more information about how to do this, click here.
↑ top2003 National Screening Committee workshop on GBS preventionThe National Screening Committee (NSC) convened a workshop in November 2003 on preventing GBS infection in newborn babies. You can see the presentations from this workshop by clicking here. Discussions from this workshop were used to inform the NSC and the key outcomes were:
1. The National electronic Library for Women’s Health will focus on improving the organisation, distribution and management of knowledge about GBS. This will be a priority for next year. NeLH will work with NHS Direct to make this information available to women as well as clinicians.
This is an enormous step forward – good quality information being provided to health professionals and pregnant women is brilliant news!
2. Priority will be given to ensuring that women at increased risk receive consistent advice and appropriate clinical management.
This is fantastic too because, to achieve this, the level of knowledge about GBS prevention needs to rise dramatically amongst health professionals. And it also means that reliable testing should be made available on the NHS for this group of women, for example, so obstetricians can use reliable test to establish whether a woman with prolonged rupture of membranes is carrying GBS. The sooner reliable tests are available on the NHS, the better!
3. The research priorities for GBS will be reviewed and further research commissioned as appropriate.
This is a wonderful opportunity for good quality, useful research to be commissioned – clearly it’s important that money is spent on new research, rather than repeating research already done either here or in other countries. The commitment seems to be there to fund research aimed at GBS prevention, and even though the results may take years to obtain, that’s got to be good news
4. A project group will keep early-onset GBS, prevention, particularly the management of women at medium and low risk, under review and report to the NSC Antenatal Sub-Group.
The women at medium/low risk we believe would also benefit from ECM testing being available to them on the NHS. They could then make an informed decision about their care, based on good quality information about their GBS carriage status. But this seems unlikely to be available for the foreseeable future.
So there’s lots of really encouraging news – and we mustn’t forget that the NSC November 2003 workshop only happened because of the parliamentary activity in the preceding 6 months – so our thanks to everyone who involved their MP in the campaign, and to all the MPs who helped by asking questions, writing letters, etc. Your hard work has borne fruit!
↑ top2003 Adjournment Debate on GBSThe adjournment debate took place in Westminster Hall at 11.00 am on Wednesday, 9th July 2003. The text of the debate is available here.
This photo shows Craig & Alison Richards, David Cameron MP and Jane & Robert Plumb outside the Houses of Parliament shortly after the debate. "Higher estimates of incidence of early-onset group B streptococcal infection"
This paper published in the Lancet on June 7th 2003 suggests that the level of early-onset GBS infection may be higher than previously thought, lending support to the need for prevention strategies.
↑ top2002 Revised GBS Guidelines from the U.S. Center for Disease ControlThe CDC has issued some much-anticipated revised guidelines for the prevention of perinatal GBS. In a nutshell, the main change is the recommendation to test all pregnant women at 35-37 weeks' gestation for vaginal and rectal colonisation using reliable enrichment culture methods. Follow this link to view the full revised guidelines.
↑ top2003 Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists issue GBS guidelinesThe Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG) issued their Green Top Guideline No 36 "Prevention of early onset neonatal Group B streptococcal disease" in November 2003. GBSS’s original recommendations for GBS prevention have clearly been vindicated by this guideline – we advocated a similar approach over 7 years ago … but we hope a guideline advocating reliable testing will happen more quickly! The RCOG guideline quotes likely incidences of GBS infection based on the presence of recognised risk factors and recommends intravenous antibiotics in labour for women in higher risk groups. However, the guideline uses the minimum incidence figures quoted in the Heath et al paper and, therefore, not only underestimates the true incidence of GBS infection but, inevitably, also underestimates the risks to babies from GBS infection. GBSS is fully supportive of this guideline which, when fully implemented in the UK, will prevent the majority of lethal cases of GBS infection in newborn babies. The major difference between our position and RCOG’s is that we view their guideline as a key starting position as even more GBS infection in newborn babies could be prevented through adopting a testing approach to GBS prevention. Unfortunately, the tests currently used within the NHS to diagnose GBS colonisation are insufficiently reliable as they give a falsely negative result for up to 50% of carriers - reliable Enriched Culture Media (ECM) tests do exist but are not widely publicised and, at present, we know of only one London laboratory which offers these tests (see Test Now Available For GBS Colonisation below).
↑ top2001 Public Health Laboratory Service issue Interim Good Practice RecommendationsThe Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) issued Interim Good Practice recommendations for the prevention of early-onset GBS infection in the UK. These were produced by the PHLS GBS Working Group and were subsequently replaced by the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists' Green Top Guideline No 36 published in 2003.
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