GROUP B STREPTOCOCCUS (No. 2)

Early day motion 64, tabled 15 May 2012 by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 39 members.

That this House notes that Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK and Ireland, affecting one in 2000 babies born every year; congratulates Group B Strep Support, the UK's only charity focused on GBS infection in newborn babies, on its continued work to raise awareness of the infection, testing and prevention; recognises that a small but growing number of NHS trusts have introduced ECM testing which is twice as effective as traditional HVS testing; is concerned that prevalence of deaths relating to GBS has been steadily rising since 2003; urges the Department of Health to ensure ECM testing is available urgently; and further supports both the efficacy of screening and the need for a vaccine made available on the NHS.

Signatures by party: Labour 16, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 5, DUP 4, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Alliance 1, Green 1, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.