Mandate offer of Group B Strep (GBS) screening for all pregnant women at 35–37 weeks, provide funding for NHS-wide access to testing and antibiotics during labour to those who test positive to help prevent serious newborn infections.

Group B Strep can cause life-threatening infections in newborns, yet most pregnant women in the UK are not routinely tested. Many families only learn about GBS after their baby becomes seriously ill. These infections are often preventable with simple screening and antibiotics in labour. We believe Mandatory offering of testing could save babies’ lives, spare families trauma, and help ensure no parent has to face a preventable loss.