§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if her Department has currently set up a review committee reviewing maternity services; when her Department last set up a committee reviewing maternity services; what was its conclusions; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleA review of national health service maternity care during childbirth has recently been completed by the expert maternity group. The group was established as part of the Government's response to the House of Commons Health Select Committee report on maternity services, published in 1992.
The expert group's report, "Changing Childbirth," was published on 5 August. A consultation period, to enable 799W interested parties to comment on the report, ended on 29 October. Ministers are currently considering the comments received before deciding on future action. Guidelines will be issued to the NHS in due course.
Earlier reviews of particular aspects of NHS maternity care have been conducted on behalf of the Department by the maternity services advisory committee. Three reports were published between 1982 and 1985, covering antenatal care, care during childbirth, and care of the mother and baby.
Copies of these documents and reports are available in the Library.