HC Deb 23 March 1988 vol 130 cc343-4
4. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy towards home confinements; and if he will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Michael Forsyth)

rose—

Hon. Members

Where is Maclennan?

Mr. Speaker

Order. It is always helpful if hon. Members alert the Chair to the fact that they cannot be present, as the hon. Member did today.

Mr. Forsyth

It is our policy to encourage hospital deliveries, but where a woman expresses a preference for home confinement it is the responsibility of the health board to arrange for a midwife to attend her and to make every effort to ensure that services are available for that confinement.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Is my hon. Friend aware of the work carried out by Nottingham university and supported by the World Health Organisation, showing that home confinements and confinements in general practitioner units are relatively safer than confinements in consultant hospitals? Does that not stand rather strangely with the proposals of Grampian health board to close the small rural units for which there is very strong support, and which have been shown to be safe?

Mr. Forsyth

I am slightly puzzled by the logic of my right hon. Friend's question. Home confinements would clearly be encouraged if the rural facilities were not there, as those facilities offer an alternative to home confinement. About 1 per cent. of deliveries take place at home, but in some 5 per cent. of cases women in labour need rapid intervention to save mother and baby. Professional advice and opinion is that hospital deliveries involve less risk and provide specialist assistance if complications occur.

Dr. Moonie

The Minister is famous for his open mind. Will he cast his mind across the English Channel towards Holland, which has had an effective home confinement system for many years? Will he examine the possibility of introducing a proper, effective and fully funded home confinement system in Scotland for the growing number of women who want it?

Mr. Forsyth

So far as I am aware, there is no problem in providing home confinement for women who wish it. They are able to obtain the services of a general practitioner or a midwife, but I am not aware of any considerable demand for this. As I have said, only 1 per cent. of deliveries take place in that way.