§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many private sector clinics and hospitals performing late abortions were inspected to ensure that they have immediate access to resuscitation equipment in the event that the child is born alive in each year since 1967; and how many in each year were found to be contravening this requirement;
(2) how many National Health Service clinics and hospitals performing late abortions were inspected, to ensure that they have immediate access to resuscitation equipment in the event that the child is born alive, in each year since 1967; and how many in each year were found to be contravening this requirement.
§ Mr. FreemanInspection of equipment within NHS premises is a matter for individual health authorities.
357WIn the private sector formal requirements that resuscitation equipment should be available on the premises were introduced in 1976 and since that time places approved to perform late abortions have received at least one visit a year from departmental medical and nursing officers in which its availability is monitored. We have no record of any contravention of this requirement.
In addition, health authorities have a statutory duty under the Nursing Homes and Mental Nursing Homes Regulations 1984 to inspect private hospitals not less than twice in every period of 12 months to ensure that they provide and maintain adequate medical, surgical and nursing equipment.