§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will set a national target for reduction of epilepsy deaths; [74052]
(2) whether the Home Office is being consulted on the Action Plan to address the findings in the National Audit of Epilepsy-Related Death on the adequacy of post-mortem investigations; [74050]
(3) what plans he has to address the information and support needs for bereaved families affected by SUDEP and other epilepsy deaths; [74048]
(4) what plans he has to address the findings in the epilepsy deaths report on the adequacy of post-mortem investigations. [74049]
§ Jacqui SmithI refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the member for Falmouth and Camborne (Ms Atherton) on Thursday 19 September 2002,Official Report, col. 344W.
We are working with the Royal College of Pathologists to promote their guidelines on autopsy practice, to improve post mortem investigations. The guidelines cover neuropathological cases, including deaths in epilepsy. Additionally we propose to consider ways of improving practice in new death certification and investigation procedures in the light of the Home Office review of coroners system which is due to report in April 2003.