§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures have been taken by his Department to ensure that there is a reduction of perinatal deaths and handicap; what progress has been made; and whether the reduction of perinatal deaths and handicap is still on the Government's short list of national priorities.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergWe have asked health authorities in circular HC (80)13 to consider the recommendations of the Social Services Committee in its Second Report for the 1979–80 Session, and to give priority to implementing those recommendations which they judge most urgent as part of a sustained campaign to improve services in each area; other recommendations have been brought to the notice of the professional bodies concerned. We have set up the maternity services advisory committee and invited it, as its first task, to consider improvements in antenatal care; at the same time, we are funding the Health Education Council's "Mother and Baby" campaign to promote better take-up of antenatal care. We are also considering the content of minimum standards of staffing and equipment for obstetric and neonatal units. It is encouraging to note that perinatal mortality is falling at the fastest rate since records were introduced. Our handbook "Care in Action" reaffirms the priority that we continue to attach to achieving reductions in perinatal and neonatal mortality and associated handicaps.