§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children were born in 1996 with congenital rubella syndrome; and what procedures are in place to train general practitioners to communicate diagnoses to the parents and refer such cases to specialist support services. [18287]
§ Mr. HoramThe latest year for which centrally collected figures are available is 1994–95, when there were 12 finished consultant episodes in which the primary diagnosis was congenital rubella. Communicating an adverse diagnosis to the parents of sick and disabled children is an extremely challenging task and forms an important part of general practitioners' training. Further guidance is also available to health service staff. The document "Child Health in the Community: A Guide to Good Practice", issued last September by the national health service executive—copies of which are available in the Library—includes a section on the principles involved in breaking bad news and accessing specialist support services, and advice on the training and support needs of staff undertaking this duty.