§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been done into the causes of stillbirths in the last 10 years.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe national perinatal epidemiology Unit—NPEU—which is recognised both nationally and internationally as a centre for research on maternity and perinatal services, is funded by the Department of Health through its research and development division—RDD. The NPEU's publication "Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth" lists research carried out into many aspects of care during pregnancy including circumstances where stillbirth occurs. A copy is available in the Library.
The nationwide confidential inquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy is currently collecting its first full year of data. The first annual report on the work of the inquiry was published on 15 November 1993, a copy of which is available in the Library.