§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Prime Minister if he will meet representatives of the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths to discuss ways in which there could be a more coherent public service response to the causes of unexpected infant deaths. [97716]
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware of the Foundation's excellent work in improving our understanding of the causes of unexpected infant deaths and in prompting an appropriate public response. I understand that the Foundation has developed a strong working relationship with officials at the Department of Health. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Health would be happy to meet with representatives of the Foundation should they wish to do so.
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§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Prime Minister if he will make it his policy to combine the responsibilities of the Home Office and Department of Health with those of other departments in order(a) to institute infant death response teams of trained police and specialist nurses to visit and support families within 24 hours, (b) to provide for inquests held by specialist pathologists and (c) to institute case conferences to consider and agree the cause of death. [97715]
§ The Prime MinisterThe tragedy of death in infancy calls upon the expertise of a number of agencies with shared responsibility for supporting parents who have suffered bereavement. It is already accepted good practice for bereaved families to be visited by a police officer attached to the Coroner's Office and a nurse experienced in bereavement counselling. The benefit of a specialist pathology service for inquests into infant deaths has been recognised and I understand that closer working relationships between paediatric and forensic pathologists are being developed to this end. It is the duty of the Coroner to consider and identify the cause of death.