HC Deb 27 November 1986 vol 106 cc355-6W
Mr. Tony Loyd

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any information about the effectiveness of special care baby units with respect to improved survival rates and reduction in the incidence of handicap; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

The improved survival rates for low birthweight babies are demonstrated in the following table. The figures, which are for England, do not distinguish between special care baby units and other forms of care.

Number and proportion of low birthweight babies who survived beyond 28 days
Less than 2500g per cent. Less than 1,000g per cent.
1975 32,915 82.1 246 11.8
1980 39,602 87.0 457 21.2
1985 40,241 90.6 871 38.0

The Department has recently commissioned two research projects to study the long term effects of neonatal intensive care. Both will give some emphasis to studying the incidence of handicap.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any plans to increase funding for the specific purpose of increasing the number of cots in special care baby units (a) nationally and (b) in the north-west region.

Mrs. Currie

The responsibility for the provision of special care baby units in the north-western region lies with the North Western regional health authority. It is the best placed to provide the detailed information the hon. Member requires: the hon. Member may wish to approach the chairman of that authority.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has any information of the number or babies for whom access is sought to the special care baby units at St. Mary's hospital, Manchester and Hope hospital who are not given access; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

This information is not held centrally. The hon. Member may therefore wish to address his inquiry to the chairmen of the Central Manchester and Salford health authorities which have responsibility for the provision of patient services in the baby units at St. Mary's hospital and Hope hospital, respectively.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details by health region of the number of cots available in special care baby units (a) as a percentage of all cots and (b) as a percentage of live births for 1985.

Mrs. Currie

I shall let the hon. Member have the information that is available as soon as possible.