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| Campaign to cut baby deaths launched in Northern Ireland - 04/30/2008 |
Northern Ireland has the highest rate of group B Strep (GBS) infection in newborn babies in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Yet this deadly infection can usually be prevented. Today, a campaign has been launched in Northern Ireland calling for information and screening for GBS to be offered to all pregnant women on the NHS.
“Politicians and officials in Northern Ireland need to take action to save lives,” said Jane Plumb, chairman of medical charity Group B Strep Support. “Routine testing for GBS would cut baby deaths and disease and end the needless suffering and grief this devastating infection can cause.”
Research shows that offering antibiotics in labour to women whose babies are at higher risk of developing GBS infection, plus offering testing to low-risk women (and antibiotics to those found to carry GBS) would prevent more infections and cost the NHS less than the ‘risk-factor’ approach currently advocated. (Attached is a 2-page document outlining Group B Strep Support’s view of what should happen in Northern Ireland to prevent these horrible infections.)
“Set against this background, it would be madness for politicians and officials in Northern Ireland not to introduce routine testing for GBS” said Jane Plumb.
The charity has high level support in Northern Ireland with both the Rt Hon Jeffrey Donaldson MP MLA and Dr Alasdair McDonnell MP MLA backing the campaign. Jeffrey Donaldson said, "I have been over whelmed since GBS NI began their awareness campaign in December 2007 by the number of people who have contacted my office in support of the Group B Strep Support campaign. Members of my constituency have been describing how GBS has impacted on their lives and, in response to this, GBS NI have setup a website and petition for people in Northern Ireland to come together and voice their opinion to the Northern Ireland Executive. I would like to commend the work of GBS NI in their efforts to highlight the risks associated with GBS and the promotion of better care and screening by the Health Service."
To sign a petition to support this campaign go to: www.ipetitions.com/petition/groupbstrep/ .
For more information about GBS, contact Group B Strep Support, tel: 01444 416176 or go to www.gbss.org.uk |
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