§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken to refer to regional health authorities the recommendation contained in paragraph 66 of the third report from the Social Services Committee, Session 1983–84, HC 308, on perinatal and neonatal mortality, to the effect that those regional health authorities without a full-time consultant perinatal pathologist should make such an appointment.
§ Mr. John PattenThis recommendation reiterated one contained in the second report of the Social Services Committee which was published in 1980. This report and our response to it were distributed to all health authorities at that time.
Since then, the maternity services advisory committee has issued its reports on good practice in the maternity and neonatal services. It also recommended that each regional health authority should consider the appointment of at least one experienced pathologist with expertise and interest in perinatal pathology. We have commended these reports to all health authorities, and indicated that they should review their services, and take action if necessary.