§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he is taking to ensure the spread of best practice of treating cerebral palsy uniformly throughout the United Kingdom in view of the fact that 50 per cent. of all such cases could be prevented by an application of this knowledge.
§ Mr. MoyleCerebral palsy is best prevented by comprehensive ante-natal and neo-natal care, with full foetal monitoring and resuscitation facilities. So far as England is concerned, advice issued by my Department to general practitioners in December 1975 recommended that women should be encouraged to have 307W their babies in hospitals where such facilities are available and that attendants on mothers delivered elsewhere should also be familiar with modern resuscitation techniques. We also asked health authorities in Engust this year to review facilities, including resuscitation, for neonatal care and for special and intensive care for babies.