§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department has issued any guidance superseding the "Maternity Care in Action" document's advice that every mother should be encouraged to have her baby in a maternity unit.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNo. The Department's policy remains that, as unforeseen complications can occur in any birth, every mother should be encouraged to have her baby in a maternity unit where emergency facilities are readily available. However, women should be able to make an informed choice about where to have their baby and discuss the options available with their general practitioner, midwife and obstetrician. Advice is also contained in the pregnancy book.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his policy on home confinements.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyOur policy on home confinements is set out in section 2 of the memorandum on "Delivery" submitted by the Department in evidence to the Select Committee on Health—inquiry into maternity and neonatal services. The memorandum is contained in the minutes of evidence given to the Select Committee on 3 July 1991, a copy of which has been placed in the Library, reference HC 430-V. Paragraph 2.6 of the memorandum says
Although the demand for home births is not great, health authorities should ensure that there are policies agreed between the professionals to provide mothers who do decide to have their babies at home with adequate antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care and that these arrangements are well known locally.