§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to district and regional health authorities about the provision of breathing monitors and scales for mothers involved in the care of the next infant programme.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department has not issued specific guidance to regional and district health authorities about the provision of breathing monitors and weighing scales for mothers involved in the care of the next infant (CONI) programme, which is run by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths. However, the third report of the maternity services advisory committee on the care of the mother and baby, which we have commended to health authorities, advises that, in regard to babies considered to be at risk of unexpected death, detailed attention should be paid to weight gain and to early symptoms of illness or signs that something may be amiss.