§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he intends to take to introduce health promotion measures to ensure that the rate of perinatal, neonatal and postneonatal deaths is urgently reviewed and reduced; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe rate of infant mortality in England is now at its lowest ever level, of 7.9 per 1,000 live births in 1990. Perinatal mortality has also reduced significantly over the last 11 years, from 14.6 per 1,000 total births in 1979 to 8.1 in 1990. We continue our efforts to make further reductions.
By the end of 1991–92, all regional health authorities will have in place a system of epidemiological surveys to investigate the patterns and trends of still births and neonatal deaths in respect of their own population. A national advisory body will shortly be set up to steer the Government's confidential inquiry into still births and deaths in infancy, and regions will be expected to play a full part in that.
For 1992–93, the NHS chief executive has asked all RHAs to agree targets with their district health authorities and family health services authorities to reduce the number of still births and infant deaths still further. At the same time, consideration is being given to improving access to services for certain groups of women, such as those from ethnic minorities, and improvements in the level of consultant cover on labour wards will be sought.