§ Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he has issued any guidelines to health authorities regarding the monitoring of sudden infant death syndrome; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has issued any guidelines to health authorities regarding the implementation of special health care measures for babies at high risk from sudden infant death syndrome; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what steps he is taking to implement the recommendations of the Knowelden report on sudden infant death syndrome.
§ Mr. John PattenCopies of the report by Professor Knowelden were sent to each regional general manager, regional medical officer and regional nursing officer on 5 February 1985. We expect each health authority to consider, and to keep under review, whether the incidence of sudden infant deaths indicates a need for and special action with regard to babies they feel are at risk.
Following the publication of the report the Department arranged a conference to bring together health professionals, professional bodies and others to discuss the conclusions and the wide range of recommendations in the report. Officials are now considering the main areas of concern arising from those discussions in order to identify what positive steps can be taken to reduce postneonatal mortality rates and where necessary to improve the quality of infant care.