Sienna Barber
3 May 2023 · Coroner Joanne Kearsley · Manchester North
The coroner's concerns
1. Group A Streptococcus infection in children
“since 2014 cases of Group A Streptococcus have increased annually”
2. lack of rapid antigen testing for Group A Streptococcus in children under 5
“consideration should be given for rapid antigen testing in the under 5's in such cases”
3. absence of clinical guidance for Group A Streptococcus management
“there is no NICE guidance for practitioners to assist them with how to diagnose / treat Group A Streptococcus”
Responses
2024-0062-Response-from-Department-of-Health-and-Social-Care.pdf ↗· Department of Health and Social Care
2024-0062-Response-from-Manchester-University-Foundation-Trust.pdf ↗· Department of Health and Social Care
Stated action
“We recommend the development of similar guidelines for GAS.”
2024-0062-Response-from-Nation-Institute-for-Health-and-Care-Excellence.pdf ↗· National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
2024-0062-Response-from-Royal-College-of-Paediatrics-and-Child-Health-.pdf ↗· Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Stated action
“The RCPCH endorsed this decision alongside the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, Royal College of General Practice, and NICE following a review by the NHS England Clinical Advisory Group and UKHSA Group A Strep Incident Management team, which assessed the overall clinical risk-benefit, including antimicrobial utilisation and potential for resistance and harms”
Stated action
“Paediatricians would welcome an effective tool to help with the identification of Group A Strep, and there is a need for more research relating to their validity, including the appropriate levels of sensitivity and specificity in their performance for testing under-fives”
Stated action
“The College will be sharing information and suggestions for local improvement from your report with our paediatric members via its patient safety portal”