Early Day Motions

Early Day Motions (EDMs) are formal motions submitted by MPs for debate in the House of Commons. However, very few are actually debated. EDMs allow MPs to draw attention to an event or cause and they register their support by signing individual motions.

Mark Durkan MP and Mike Hancock MP have each tabled EDMs - please write, email or go to see your MP and ask him/her to sign both of these EDMs (and ask them to sign the petition too epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/4854).


Group B Streptococcus - EDM62 tabled 15 May 2012 by Mark Durkan MP

That this House is concerned that the reported incidence of Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection in newborn babies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland increased by 32 per cent between 2003 and 2010; recognises that GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK; notes that without preventative action one in 1,000 newborn babies per year will develop GBS infection, of whom approximately 75 will die and 40 will survive with long-term problems; welcomes the current review of the benefits of a national screening programme being undertaken by the UK National Screening Committee; and further notes that where screening programmes have been introduced, including in the United States, Spain, Australia and France, reported cases of GBS infection in newborn babies have fallen by 86 per cent, 86 per cent, 82 per cent and 71 per cent respectively.


Group B Streptococcus (No. 2) - EDM64 tabled 15 May 2012 by Mike Hancock MP

That this House notes that Group B streptococcus (GBS) is the most common cause of life-threatening infection in newborn babies in the UK and Ireland, affecting one in 2000 babies born every year; congratulates Group B Strep Support, the UK's only charity focused on GBS infection in newborn babies, on its continued work to raise awareness of the infection, testing and prevention; recognises that a small but growing number of NHS trusts have introduced ECM testing which is twice as effective as traditional HVS testing; is concerned that prevalence of deaths relating to GBS has been steadily rising since 2003; urges the Department of Health to ensure ECM testing is available urgently; and further supports both the efficacy of screening and the need for a vaccine made available on the NHS.


There have been three previous EDMs on Group B Strep:
2003 - EDM 1211 www.parliament.uk/edm/2002-03/1211
2004 - EDM 973 www.parliament.uk/edm/2003-04/973
2005 - EDM 538 www.parliament.uk/edm/2005-06/538