asked the Minister for Health the measures he proposes to take in order to offer support and information to families bereaved by sudden infant death syndrome, commonly known as cot death; if he will provide accurate and up-to-date information on cot deaths to health care professionals, the media and the community in general to promote and support research into the causes and prevention of cot deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Cot Deaths.
39.
A sudden infant death is a great tragedy for the family and also for the community. A range of measures is being taken to offer support to those affected by sudden infant death syndrome.
In view of the important role of the Irish sudden infant death association in this area, I have given a commitment of financial assistance early next year towards the costs of its printing information on various aspects of sudden infant death. In that regard a request for a grant of approximately £6,000 is currently under consideration by my Department.
An annual grant of £1,000 is paid by the Eastern Health Board to the association to enable it to carry on its various activities, which includes counselling and supporting families affected.
In addition, I have made arrangements whereby the former medical residence at the Richmond Hospital will be transferred to the Eastern Health Board, who in association with Dublin Corporation will provide accommodation in the building for this association and other groups as part of the Community Services Project, currently housed in premises provided by Dublin Corporation at Christchurch Place.
Information on the incidence of sudden infant death is currently published by the Central Statistics Office on a quarterly and annual basis in its Report on Vital Statistics and is widely available.
Following a proposal from the scientific sub-committee of the Irish Sudden Death Syndrome Association, I have agreed to the establishment of a sudden infant death register which will provide additional epidemiological data. I have arranged with the Central Statistics Office that certificates relating to all infant deaths occuring during the first and second year of life would be released to that committee subject, of course, to strict conditions of confidentiality. The Central Statistics Office is at present extracting the relevant death certificates for the period October 1986 to date. These will provide information which when complete will enable the register to be established.
The Health Research Board which is a statutory independent body established to promote, assist, commission or conduct medical, health and health services research, has allocated a sum of £15,000 this year to a research project at the Rotunda Hospital which will investigate the pathology of placenta associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
My Department will continue to support the broad range of activities I have outlined above.