§ 21. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what further consideration he has given to measures to reduce the number of battered babies.
§ Dr. John DunwoodyA letter was sent to medical officers of health and children's officers on 9th February with suggestions for action, and a medical memorandum giving more detailed guidance will shortly be issued.
§ Mr. CroninIs my hon. Friend aware that there is now evidence that several hundred babies a year are battered by their parents, about 10 per cent. being battered to death, and that in many cases these babies appear two, three or four times for treatment before effective action is taken? Will he therefore consider whether it is desirable that such cases be notified immediately to an appropriate child protection organisation?
§ Dr. DunwoodyI agree that there is a real problem here. This is particularly true in cases where there is a recurrence of the battered baby syndrome in the same child or in subsequent children in the same family. I am not sure that notification would help towards finding a solution to this difficult problem. At the same time, the advice that we have given to local authorities that there should be 812 co-operation between the different agencies involved—doctors, social workers, children's officers, often the police and the N.S.P.C.C.—is the right way to approach the problem. We are watching the situation very closely.
§ Mr. AllasonIs the Minister entirely satisfied that medical authorities are aware of the problem of the battered baby? Surely it needs a great deal more information in order that this syndrome shall be recognised?
§ Dr. DunwoodyThere is a general awareness of this problem in the medical profession. We are considering the advisability of particularly drawing the attention of people like casualty officers, who may be the first to come into contact with these difficult cases, to the problem.