HL Deb 05 February 2002 vol 631 c84WA
Lord Alton of Liverpool

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 13 November (WA 69), what guidance has been issued to hospitals and clinics following the publication of a paper in the British Medical Journal in February of this year entitled "What parents are told after prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormality: interview and questionnaire study" by Abramsky, Hall and Marteau (BMJ, 24 February, 463–466). [HL2155]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)

No guidance has been issued. The Government will however keep the issue of how to inform parents of diagnoses of all fetal abnormalities under close review.

The forthcoming guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence on antenatal care will be included in the development of the Children's National Service Framework.