NCT Watch

Mr. David Amess asked the Secretary of State for Health, on childbirth, what the (a) terms of reference and (b) timetable of the national perinatal epidemiology unit’s programme of reviews are; and if he will make a statement. [198743]

Ann Keen, Minister of State, responded that the National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit is conducting the programme of systematic reviews referred to in my previous answer in line with a research proposal that has been peer reviewed and agreed with the Department. The primary aim is to make best use of existing national and international research evidence to identify the key interventions that are most likely to contribute to meeting the 2010 infant mortality target and, in the longer term, to improving maternal and child health and a sustainable reduction in health inequalities. The reviews will also help identify evidence gaps where there is a need for new research.

The work runs until September 2009, and the research team will provide outputs on a staged basis during the life of the project. Review outputs will cover generic public health interventions as well as the major medical causes of infant mortality. The research team has appointed a multi-disciplinary advisory group to support the work.