HC Deb 22 May 1992 vol 208 c298W
Ms. Janet Anderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to improve women's health care in Rossendale, particularly in relation to the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.

Mr. Sackville

The United Kingdom was the first country in the European Community and one of the first countries in the world to establish a national cervical screening programme based on computerised call and recall. The Government are committed to this programme and cervical cancer was specifically mentioned in the Health of the Nation Green Paper. To improve uptake of cervical screening GP target payments were introduced; 91 per cent. of GP practices now receive a target payment.

For information on the local provision of health services in Rossendale, including services for women's health care and the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer, my hon. Friend may wish to contact Mr. William Ashworth, chairman of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale health authority.

Ms. Janet Anderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to reduce the infant mortality rate(a) nationally and (b) in Rossendale.

Mr. Sackville

The infant mortality rate for England is at an all time low of 7.4 per 1,000 live births in 1991 compared to rate of 12.8 in 1979.

One of the major priorities for the NHS this year will be to set targets to reduce the number of stillbirths and deaths in infancy. This, together with the NHS' participation in the nationwide Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in infancy, announced by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of Health last summer, should help to ensure the continued reduction of these tragic losses.

For information on the provision of local health services my hon. Friend may wish to contact Mr. William Ashworth, chairman of Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale health authority.