HC Deb 07 December 1978 vol 959 cc734-5W
20. Mr. Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he proposes to take in the light of the serious problem of infant mortality in Northern Ireland.

Mr. Carter

The Government have given priority to community health including maternity and child health services in their planning and allocation of funds to health and social services boards in Northern Ireland. The Eastern health and social services board has recently jointly appointed with the Queens university, Belfast a consultant lecturer in midwifery and gynaecology with a special interest in foetal medicine. In addition, an expert committee has recently been appointed to advise on the whole range of preventive and caring measures in the field of infant mortality and to make recommendations for improvements.