Question reference: S4W-18500
- Asked by: Margaret McDougall, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 20 November 2013
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Current status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 3 December 2013
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to reduce the incidence of the (a) early and (b) late onset of group B streptococcus infection in pregnancy.
Answer
NHS boards in Scotland are expected to follow professional guidance issued by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).
Healthcare professionals will have undergone extensive training and education at undergraduate and postgraduate levels to specified curricula standards, including being assessed on competencies in diagnosis and treatments. These curricula will have been developed by relevant Royal Colleges, and approved by the respective regulators. Post-qualification, all healthcare professionals are expected to participate in CPD activities to maintain their skills and knowledge, and Health boards do release staff to undertake such activities.
The RCOG in partnership with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine is currently carrying out a recruitment process to recruit a clinical research fellow to carry out an audit across the UK. It will aim to provide feedback and advice to those participating, including Scottish units, about how they can further improve their adherence to the RCOG guidelines on the prevention of neonatal GBS disease.