29th July 2024
In support of Group B Strep awareness month, we are delighted to share this blog by Jane Plumb MBE, Chief Executive, Group B Strep Support.
Jane Plumb MBE FRCOG FRSA, Chief Executive, Group B Strep Support
Group B Strep awareness month is held every year in July and focuses on empowering new and expectant parents with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their baby, ensuring those who have been affected by a Group B Strep infection know about our charity, and engaging with healthcare professionals to improve education and awareness.
Group B Strep is the leading cause of serious infection in newborn babies in the UK.
Around 800 babies a year develop group B Strep infection, which most commonly presents as sepsis, meningitis and pneumonia.
Health visitors can play a hugely important part in ensuring that parents are aware of the signs of infection to watch for, and encourage them to seek medical advice if they’re worried.
Our recent survey has revealed a significant gap in the availability and awareness of Group B Strep (GBS) testing among new and expectant mothers in the UK1.
The Impact of Group B Strep Infection in babies
On average, two babies a day develop a group B Strep infection in the UK, with one baby a week dying from the infection and another surviving with life-changing disabilities.
These statistics are alarming, especially considering that many of these infections in newborn babies could be prevented with early diagnosis and treatment.
The Survey Findings
Our new survey, conducted with over 1,000 new or expectant mothers, found that almost all (98%) think it’s very important that all pregnant women and people are informed of group B Strep by their health professional and almost seven in ten wanted more information about group B Strep.
Our survey also found that nine in ten believe antenatal group B Strep testing should be routinely available on the NHS. Currently, testing is typically offered only to those who tested positive in a previous pregnancy2
and, even then, it is not universally available across all NHS hospitals.
The Need for Routine Information Provision and Testing
In response to these findings, Group B Strep Support is calling for all pregnant women and people to be provided with information about group B Strep, and for routine testing for group B Strep to be made available to them. This change would align the UK with other high-income countries like the United States, Canada, Germany, France, and Spain, where such testing is standard practice.
New eLearning Module on Group B Strep
To raise awareness and support health professionals working in maternity and neonatal services, we have launched our new eLearning module on group B Strep. This resource, based on the latest guidance from the RCOG and NICE, is designed to equip health professionals working in maternity services with the latest knowledge and best practices for preventing and managing group B Strep infections. We believe that by empowering people with this information, we can make significant strides in reducing the incidence of these devastating infections.
Your Role as Health Visitors
As health visitors, you play a pivotal role in educating and supporting new and expectant parents. Your interactions provide a unique opportunity to raise awareness about group B Strep and the importance of testing. Here are some steps you can take:
- Educate families: Inform mothers about group B Strep, its risks, and the availability of testing. Ensure they understand the importance of early detection and treatment. We co-produced an information leaflet with the Royal College Obstetricians & Gynaecologists that is available in English and 14 additional languages which you can download here.
- Educate yourself: Make sure you’re fully up to date with the latest information and guidance on group B Strep. Although primarily aimed at midwives and obstetricians, do take our eLearning module and share with your team and colleagues.
- Guide: Provide information on group B Strep and on private testing options for those who may not have access to NHS testing. Ensure pregnant women and people know where and how to find further information including how they can get tested. You’ll find this information on our website here.
Conclusion
As we continue to advocate for better healthcare policies and practices, your support and engagement are more important than ever. Together, we can ensure that new and expectant parent and their babies receive the care and protection they deserve.
This Group B Strep Awareness Month, let us commit to making a difference. Working together, we can ensure that every new or expectant parent is informed, and babies are protected from the devastating effects of group B Strep infection. Your dedication and efforts are crucial in this fight and thank you for your continued support.
Jane Plumb MBE FRCOG FRSA,Chief Executive, Group B Strep Support
For more information about the charity Group B Strep Support – visit their website .
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