§ Viscount Merseyasked Her Majesty's Government:
To what extent they are publicising the need for pre-natal testing for sickle cell anaemia.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege):The Department of Health published the report of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee working party on sickle cell, thalassaemia and other haemoglobinopathies in February 1994 and has distributed it widely both within and outside the National Health Service. The report made a number of recommendations about screening for haemoglobinopathies, including antenatal screening. Individual health authorities are responsible for assessing the needs of their resident populations and for purchasing services, including haemoglobinopathy screening, to provide for those needs.
Copies of the report are available in the Library.