HL Deb 22 July 1981 vol 423 cc236-8

2.52 p.m.

Baroness Fisher of Rednal

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will consider taking positive action to overcome the increasing widespread dissatisfaction with antenatal health services.

Baroness Young

My Lords, this is a matter of great concern to the Government, who have made clear their support for the detailed and practical recommendations which the Social Services Committee made last year for improving ante-natal care. They have commended these recommendations to health authorities and believe that a great deal can be achieved at comparatively little cost.

Baroness Fisher of Rednal

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her Answer. Would she accept that there is widespread concern among many expectant mothers? They feel that attendance for pre-natal care is time-consuming, that it is not enjoyable, that there is a lack of educational facilities and that this is due mainly to the shortage of staff and the lack of space. What are the Government doing to overcome those two problems?

Baroness Young

My Lords, the Government are aware of precisely the points which the noble Baroness has identified. My honourable friend Dr. Vaughan, the Minister for Health, has expressed his misgivings about what happens. On 16th July the Government announced the establishment of the Maternity Services Advisory Committee which was recommended by the Social Services Committee in their report on peri-natal and neo-natal mortality. This will be of importance to the Government in their sustained campaign to achieve further reductions in peri-natal death and handicap which are often a consequence of mothers not attending ante-natal clinics.

Lord Wallace of Coslany

My Lords, will the noble Baroness give an assurance to the House that when health authorities are faced with economy cuts—many of them are facing severe financial difficulties—on no account will this service be cut, but will be expanded?

Baroness Young

My Lords, the Government are supporting the health education Mother and Baby Campaign which is designed to encourage women to make use of ante-natal facilities. In 1980–81, £375,000 was allocated to the campaign and in 1981–82 a further £325,000. They have also agreed to fund for six months a project by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations to explore further the role of voluntary bodies in ante-natal care.

Baroness Llewelyn-Davies of Hastoe

My Lords, would the noble Baroness understand—I am sure she does—that it is not only money which is needed, although that is important? One thing which I hope she will agree would be appreciated would be if the appointments system could be improved. Could she offer any sort of hope to those of us who campaign on these issues that, say, 30 patients are not all summoned for 9.30 and another 30 for 10? Is there anything which the Ministry can do to ensure that the doctors are there when the patients are there?

Baroness Young

My Lords, nobody who has ever attended any kind of an outpatients clinic can be aware of other than the long wait, whatever the circumstances. However, the Government feel that health authorities are best placed to consider what steps are needed locally in the light of local circumstances. Some area health authorities are managing to effect better im- provements in the appointments system and are also making better use of the time that mothers have to wait.

Baroness Fisher of Rednal

My Lords, while appreciating all that the noble Baroness has said and realising her great concern, and also her Minister's concern, may I ask whether she could try to get a little humanity back into the large hospitals where many expectant mothers feel that they are just like a parcel on a conveyor belt, operating a system?

Baroness Young

My Lords, I shall certainly draw the attention of my honourable friend in another place to the remarks which have been made on this matter. I feel certain that he will have the means of passing it on to those in the authorities who have responsibility for this. I am sure that we all share the noble Baroness's concern. I do myself. The consequences of mothers not attending ante-natal clinics are very serious. It is a most serious problem which we all need to consider carefully.