Mum calls for routine rollout of home test amid claims it could identify Group B Strep and save babies' lives

A woman from South Yorkshire, whose newborn baby almost died after developing a bacterial infection, is calling on all women to be routinely screened.

Group B Strep kills one newborn baby every week in the UK – but many women have never heard of it.

The infection, which can be passed on from mother to baby during labour, can be identified with a simple test. It is already screened for in Australia, America and Canada – but it isn't available on the NHS.

Now Louise Simmonds, who works in Lincolnshire as a primary school headteacher, is calling on the government to change their policy.

Jane Plumb, the chief executive of the Group B Strep Support group, says one survivor every fortnight recovers but is left with long-term disability.

However, Public Health England have said they will not introduce national screening.