§ Baroness Coxasked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures they are taking to ensure that all cases of foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are diagnosed properly. [HL1720]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe risks of excessive drinking during pregnancy are well documented, and for this reason the Government recommend that women who are pregnant or who are trying to become pregnant do not drink more than one to two units of alcohol per week.
The Government are committed to implementing the National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy by 2004. The strategy will be prepared by the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit, and will be published in summer 2003. The Strategy Unit team will be examining a range of issues relating to the impact of alcohol on health, as well as any additional training which may be needed by medical and other health professionals to improve the care they can give to patients with conditions arising from alcohol misuse.
Foetal alcohol syndrome is currently recorded on an individual patient's medical records to ensure that health and other professional staff are aware of the situation and can help sufferers to access the support that they need.