§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what pro-
230Wagreed to the setting up of a department of fetal medicine in Northern Ireland to plan and initiate a detailed programme designed to reduce perinatal mortality and handicap of fetal origin. In addition, an expert working party is being set up to consider the whole range of preventive and caring services in this field and recommend a programme of action.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give the perinatal and infant mortality rates in Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available by social class and in the following age ranges (a) to mothers under 16 years, (b) mothers aged 16 to 19 years, (c) mothers aged 20 to 29 years, (d) mothers aged 30 to 35 years and (e) mothers aged over 35 years or such other age cohorts for which figures are available.
§ Mr.CarterPerinatal and infant mortality rates are not routinely available in the form requested but a special study in 1974 provided the following figures:
portion of mothers in Northern Ireland report their pregnancy by the sixteenth week; what action he is taking to ensure earlier reporting of pregnancies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr.CarterInformation is not available about the proportion of mothers in Northern Ireland who report their pregnancy by the sixteenth week. The advantages of early reporting of pregnancies are explained to girls during health education instruction in schools and generaly through health education talks, leaflets, and so on. In addition, doctors, health visitors, midwives and 231W social workers make every effort to ensure that women attend their doctor early in pregnancy.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the antenatal care provided to pregnant women in Northern Ireland; what assistance is available to enable pregnant women to attend antenatal clinics; and if he will make a statement.
Eastern Health and Social Services Board: Midwives … … … … … … … … 375 Student midwives … … … … … … … … 158 533 Northern Health and Social Services Board: Midwives … … … … … … … … 142 142 Southern Health and Social Services Board: Midwives … … … … … … … … 145 145 Western Health and Social Services Board: Midwives … … … … … … … … 155 Student midwives … … … … … … … … 47 202 Total … … … … … … … … 1,022
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what training is undertaken by midwives in Northern Ireland; if he has any plans to improve their training; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr.CarterThe Northern Ireland Council for Nurses and Midwives is responsible for the training of midwives in Northern Ireland. Only nurses who have completed their general training and are State registered are eligible for midwifery training. The training course, which is on similar lines to those provided in the rest of the United Kingdom, extends over a period of 12 months and includes programmes for education and clinical experience.
The educational programme comprises lectures and tutorials on normal midwifery, care of neo-natal infants, common complications of pregnancy, labour and puerperium, obstetrics, paediatrics, anaesthesia and analgesia, sexually-transmitted diseases, community health and social services, family planning and human relations.
Clinical experience is provided on the following basis: pre-natal, 8 weeks; intra-
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