§ Lord Morris of Manchesterasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking to counter the risk of permanent developmental brain disorder, poor school performance and chronic ill health due to very pre-term delivery and low birth weight; and [HL3271]
What was the annual incidence of very pre-term deliveries since 1950 in the United Kingdom. [HL3274]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Warner):Last year the Government invested an additional £70 million over three years and recurrent funding thereafter of over £20 million per annum to improve neonatal intensive care services. We are also launching later this year, a Children's, Young People and Maternity National Service Framework, the maternity module of which will focus on securing the best achievable outcomes, including very pre-term and low birthweight deliveries which are sadly associated with longer-term morbidity and compromised performance at school.
The Government's Sure Start initiative covers children from conception through to age 14, and up to age 16 for those with special educational needs and disabilities. This initiative includes the creation of a growing network of children's centres providing integrated early education, childcare, health services, family support and help into employment. The Government are committed to providing children's centre services to all pre-school children and their families in the most disadvantaged areas of England and to those facing the greatest adversity—with a long-term vision of a centre for every community.
139WAThere is a need however to improve ways in which morbidity from these causes can be countered. The Confidential Inquiry into Maternal and Child Health will continue the existing programme of inquiries into maternal, perinatal and infant mortality and extend its remit to encompass childhood morbidity and the establishment of a new national enquiry into child health. We expect this will inform an even more focused series of healthcare interventions in childhood.
The data available on the incidence of pre-term deliveries in England and Northern Ireland are as in the tables. Information relating to Scotland and Wales are matters for the devolved administrations.
Estimated number of pre-term and very pre-term deliveries, England
32 32–37 Number Percentage Number Percentage Total deliveries 2002–03 7,900 1 32,500 6 548,000 2001–02 7,200 1 32,200 6 541,700 2000–01 7,500 1 34,200 6 564,300 1997–98 7,000 1 34,000 6 585,000 1994–95 7,600 1 33,100 5 604,300 Notes:Prepared by Department of Health, Statistics Division 3G. NHS hospital deliveries only.Data is only available for the selected years.The term delivery refers to a birth episode whereby a multiple birth is counted as one delivery.Number of pre-term and very pre-term deliveries, Northern Ireland
32 32–37 Number Percentage Number Percentage Total deliveries 2002–03 288 1 2,212 10 21,231 2001–02 268 1 2,265 11 21,302 2000–01 261 1 2,211 10 21,340 1997–98 302 1 2,372 10 23,668 1994–95 270 1 2,354 10 24,010 Notes:Prepared by DHSSPS Northern Ireland (Source—the Child Health System which is resident in each Health and Social Services Board Area in Northern Ireland).Hospital and home deliveries.The term delivery refers to a birth episode whereby a multiple birth is counted as one delivery.