§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many consultant posts exist in the National Health Service for specialists in neonatal care; where these consultants are employed; and what plans he has to increase the number of such posts.
§ Mr. MoyleThere is no separate specialty of neonatal care. Most paediatricians have a responsibility for special care services in their districts and some take a special interest in neonatal paedia-
Number of Midwifery staff Number of Midwifery staff per 10,000 population Number of Midwifery staff per 1,000 births Community Hospitals and Community Community Hospitals and Community Community Hospitals and Community Dartford and Gravesham Health District 21.0 101.0 4.7 22.7 6.6 31.8 Medway Health District 40.0 119.5 6.1 18.1 8.8 26.4 Kent Area Heatlh Authority 130.0 493.7 4.6 17.5 7.2 27.2 SE Thames Regional Health Authority 208.3 1,210.2 3.1 17.8 5.2 30.0 Notes:
(i) The increasing trend towards an integrated midwifery service means that a number of midwives working in hospitals will also provide a service within the community; this factor should be taken into account in any assessment of the figures for community midwifery staff.
(ii) The staffing figures are of whole-time equivalent numbers in post at 30th September 1977 and exclude pupil midwives. Population figures are for females aged 15–44 in 1976 (latest available). Births are also for 1976.