HC Deb 03 February 1981 vol 998 cc129-30
2. Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the treatment provided within the National Health Service for newly born handicapped children.

The Minister for Health (Dr. Gerard Vaughan)

No, Sir. We always hope to see still further improvements. The House will be pleased to know that there has been a major reduction in the perinatal mortality rate in the past five years from 20.3 per 1,000 in 1974 to 14.7 in 1979.

Mr. McQuarrie

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Has his attention been drawn to allegations that lethal doses of the sedative DF 118 have been administered to newly born handicapped children? If so, what action does he propose to take on that matter, which is of great concern to those of us who are intensly interested in the handicapped from birth onwards?

Dr. Vaughan

I am glad that my hon. Friend has raised that subject, which is a matter of considerable concern. We are looking into the implications.

Mr. Freud

Is it not time that there was a statutory duty imposed on the NHS to acquaint the parents of handicapped children with the names and addresses of voluntary organisations that support the handicaps in question?

Dr. Vaughan

There is already a wide range of services available from the statutory agencies, including multi-disciplinary assessments, treatment and advice. I shall gladly look into the matter if the hon. Gentleman will tell me what he has in mind.

Mr. Carter-Jones

While acknowledging that there has been an overall improvement in the perinatal mortality rates, may I ask whether the Minister is aware that there are still substantial regional variations? With regard to the care of neonates, will the Minister take the advice offered by the Select Committee chaired by my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) and consider multi-disciplinary analysis of the needs of the handicapped neonates?

Dr. Vaughan

Yes, that is a very important part of our programme for helping newly born handicapped children. This is now one of the most important current developments in paediatric care, and one which I think all hon. Members will want to see developed further.