HC Deb 18 June 1991 vol 193 cc137-8
9. Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will undertake an assessment of the need for, and availability of, extra-corporeal membrane oxygenator baby life-saving units.

Mr. Dorrell

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Janner

Will the Minister assure us that the EC MO baby life-saving unit in the Groby road hospital in my constituency will have enough funding to continue in existence? Is he aware that unless public funding comes through, that unique unit will almost certainly have to close, resulting in a serious, unnecessary and scandalous loss of babies' lives?

Mr. Dorrell

I am pleased to be able to give the hon. and learned Gentleman, who is my parliamentary neighbour, the assurance that that will not happen. I spoke to Mr. Field, the clinician in charge, on the telephone this morning, and he will meet Professor Peckham, the director of research and development of the NHS, on 4 July.

Mr. Butterfill

Is not it true that nearly twice as many babies died when the Labour party was last in power, whereas we have succeeded in cutting the death rate from 8.2 per thousand to 4.6 per thousand?

Mr. Dorrell

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is one of the health indicators that have improved dramatically in the past 12 years.