Failure to reliably provide antenatal GBS screening
First to latest report 7 May 2015 — 30 Jun 2016
Reports that mention this concern
2
Times this concern has been raised
2
Stated actions linked to this concern
5
What this concern includes
Includes failures of arrangements to establish, offer or routinely provide antenatal GBS screening to pregnant women during the relevant late-pregnancy period, including absence of a national programme and repeated failure to offer screening through NHS maternity care.
What is not included
Excludes intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis failures where screening provision is not the asserted unsafe condition.
Excludes diagnosis or treatment of established maternal or neonatal infection after screening or risk identification.
Excludes generic antenatal-care, maternity staffing or clinical-guidance deficiencies that do not specifically concern provision of antenatal GBS screening.
Excludes screening for infections other than group B Streptococcus.
Trends
Reports over time
Reports mentioning this concern, over time
Reports about this concern issued each year.
* 2026 is projected from reports observed to 7 Sep 2026.
Most frequent recipients
Most frequent recipients
Reports about this concern sent to each recipient.
Department of Health and Social Care2
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence2
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists2
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health2
Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust1
Executive non-departmental public body2
Health professional body2
Ministerial department2
Professional body2
NHS trust1
Reports and published responses 2 reports
See individual reports that have raised this concern, and the actions taken in response
Manchester North
Concerns raised1
Failure to routinely offer antenatal GBS screening to pregnant women during the final weeks of pregnancy
This report raised 13 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked response
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Routine antenatal GBS screening is not recommended because evidence of mortality benefit is lacking and screening may cause maternal, neonatal and antimicrobial harms.
Disputes the concernThe respondent disagreed with part of the concern or the basis for it.
Manchester North
Concerns raised1
Failure to routinely offer antenatal GBS screening to all pregnant women during the final weeks of pregnancy
This report raised 2 other concerns. They are not shown here because they do not form part of this recurring concern.
Linked responses
Department of Health and Social Care
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Stated actions An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Review evidence and consult stakeholders to assess whether the antenatal GBS guideline requires updating.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Encourage further research into GBS screening during pregnancy.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Keep recommendations on antenatal GBS screening under review pending new evidence.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Encourage research into the clinical and cost effectiveness of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis guided by routine antenatal GBS screening.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Publish and maintain guidance on preventing early-onset neonatal Group B streptococcal disease.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Routine GBS screening was not recommended because evidence was insufficient, and later review found insufficient new evidence to update the guideline.
No action considered necessaryThe respondent said that no further action was needed.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Local clinicians and organisations are responsible for deciding the best approach to care, using evidence and guidance provided.
Redirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
Routine antenatal GBS screening is not recommended because evidence of benefit is insufficient and screening may cause harms and require substantial changes and funding.
Existing arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Department of Health and Social Care
Universal antenatal GBS screening is not considered necessary because evidence does not show its benefits outweigh its harms.
No action considered necessaryThe respondent said that no further action was needed.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.
Actions and positions describe what organisations say in published responses. Implementation is not independently verified.