First reported 7 May 2015•Latest report 30 Jun 2016
Definition
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.
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.
Reports
2
Distinct published reports
Individual concerns
2
A report can raise multiple concerns
Date range
2015–2016
First to latest report issue date
Stated actions
5
Described in published responses
Reports over time
Reports 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
Concerns and responses across reports
Only concerns grouped under this recurring concern are included. Select any concern, action or position to view the source wording.
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.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.1
Position
Routine antenatal GBS screening is not recommended because evidence of mortality benefit is lacking and screening may cause maternal, neonatal and antimicrobial harms.
Stated by Royal College of Paediatrics and Child HealthDisputes 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.
Responses linked to these concerns
Each statement is shown once, even when linked to more than one concern.
Actions described in response An action is something a respondent says it has done, is doing, or plans to do in response to the concern raised.5
Action
Review evidence and consult stakeholders to assess whether the antenatal GBS guideline requires updating.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 May 2015.
Action
Encourage further research into GBS screening during pregnancy.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 May 2015.
Action
Keep recommendations on antenatal GBS screening under review pending new evidence.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceStated in progressThe respondent said that this action was in progress when they made their response on 7 May 2015.
Action
Encourage research into the clinical and cost effectiveness of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis guided by routine antenatal GBS screening.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 May 2015.
Action
Publish and maintain guidance on preventing early-onset neonatal Group B streptococcal disease.
Stated by Royal College of Obstetricians and GynaecologistsStated completedThe respondent said that this action was complete when they made their response on 7 May 2015.
Respondent positions A position is what a respondent says about the concern when they do not describe a specific action.4
Position
Routine GBS screening was not recommended because evidence was insufficient, and later review found insufficient new evidence to update the guideline.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceNo action considered necessaryThe respondent said that no further action was needed.
Position
Local clinicians and organisations are responsible for deciding the best approach to care, using evidence and guidance provided.
Stated by National Institute for Health and Care ExcellenceRedirects responsibilityThe respondent said that another organisation was responsible for deciding or taking action.
Position
Routine antenatal GBS screening is not recommended because evidence of benefit is insufficient and screening may cause harms and require substantial changes and funding.
Stated by Royal College of Obstetricians and GynaecologistsExisting arrangements considered sufficientThe respondent said that existing arrangements were sufficient, so no further action was needed.
Position
Universal antenatal GBS screening is not considered necessary because evidence does not show its benefits outweigh its harms.
Stated by Department of Health and Social CareNo action considered necessaryThe respondent said that no further action was needed.
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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.
