Maternity services. Volume II, Minutes of evidence.

  • Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Health Committee
Date:
1992
Catalogue details

Licence: Open Government Licence

Credit: Maternity services. Volume II, Minutes of evidence. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    6 November 199] ] [Continued Information about infection following episiotomy is available from: Kitzinger and Simkin ‘“‘Episiotomy and the Second Stage of Labour” London National Childbirth Trust, 1990. Attached at Annex J is page 85 from the chapter by Bante and Thacker on infection following episiotomy (up to 3 per cent), together with the reference list (not reported). 11. Is the Department planning to commission any surveys to fill the gaps in information since 1985, the last year of the old Maternity Hospital In-Patient Enquiry? | Department's response: The Department is concentrating on achieving accurate and up to date information as soon as possible and has no plans to commission any surveys to fill the gaps in information since 1985. 12. (a) What has the OPCS done to identify the causes of the problem identified in answers to PQs of 4 July (col 189-90) and 2 July (col 117), and OPCS Monitor DH3 91/1 which demonstrated a decline in completeness of birth registration data? Department's response: OPCS has carried out some preliminary enquiries into the reasons for missing birthweights. There are a range of reasons why these occur, and where possible immediate action has been taken. Further work to identify the nature of the difficulty in different areas has been started and is planned to take about six months. (b) Are additional resources needed to solve the problem? Department’s response: Identifying where and how much resource is required is part of the above task. 13. The Department’s memorandum published with the minutes of evidence for 3 July said that early results of the infant feeding survey would be out in mid June. Are they now available? Department's response: We should have made clear in memorandum No. 4 on postnatal care that the reference in paragraph 6.3 was to mid June /992. The field work for the 1990 Infant Feeding Survey finished in May/June 1991. OPCS are in the process of analysing the results and the final results are expected in the Summer 1992. 14. When does the Department expect to respond formally to the submission of the British Paediatric Association on paediatric medical staffing for the 1990s? Department's response: The report on paediatric medical staffing for the 1990s is at present the subject of discussion within the Joint Working Party (JWP) on Medical Services for Children. An interim report of the JWP is being considered by the Chief Medical Officer and good progress towards a final conclusion is expected. The Joint Working Party consists of representatives from the BMA, the Royal Colleges and the Department. The report is also being used to inform an early review of the specialty by the Joint Planning Advisory Committee; this is expected in mid 1992. (See also the response to question 2(b) above). 15. Could the Department provide a brief note on any issues arising in connection with the Nurses, Midwives and Health Visitors Bill [Lords] which it considers would be pertinent to the Committee’s current inquiry? .