§ 58. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Health the principal systems adopted in maternity hospitals at the present time to ensure that newly-born infants are assigned to the right mothers; what advice has been given by his Department in this connection; and what steps have been taken by his Department to compare the arrangements in this country with those existing in overseas countries.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe principal method is for a fixed bracelet of adhesive or linen tape bearing the mother's name to be attached to a baby's wrist at birth. I have given consideration to the suggestion of foot-printing but it appears to offer no real advantages and I am informed that methods in general use in other countries do not differ materially from the one I have described.
§ Mr. de Freitasasked the Minister of Health whether he will recommend the foot printing of newly born babies in hospitals so as to make their subsequent identification easier.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport) today.