PRESS RELEASE

23 May 2003

OTTAWAY CALLS FOR GBS SCREENING

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, has signed a parliamentary motion calling for improved screening programmes for pregnant women for life-threatening Group B Streptococcal infections.

Richard Ottaway says:-

"In the last five years an estimated 3,500 mothers in the UK have suffered the pain and trauma of their baby developing life-threatening Group B Streptococcal infections which include septicaemia, pneumonia and meningitis. Tragically 500 of these sick babies have died and a further 200 have suffered consequences such as brain damage."

"These infections can be drastically reduced by adopting screening programmes for all pregnant women. Such programmes are seen to be working in other European countries and the US."

"Under the circumstances I call on the Government to instigate similar schemes in the UK as a matter of urgency."

Ends.

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