Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to the Answers of 20 December 2022 to Question 102798 and of 4 September 2023 to Question 194994 on Streptococcus: Screening, what her planned timetable is to respond to the cluster randomised trial on Group B Streptococcus expected to end on 31 May 2024.

The clinical and cost-effectiveness of testing for Group B Streptococcus: a cluster randomised trial with economic and acceptability evaluations (GBS3) trial is currently recruiting participants. The trial is currently contracted to complete at the end of May 2024. As with all research funded through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, we expect findings to be submitted to the Department; in the case of this trial, to the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) hosted by the Department. The UK NSC stands ready to review the findings of this research as soon as the results are shared.