Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder

Baroness Hollins Excerpts

Thursday 25th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Lord is quite right that we are working on estimates, and there are a number of practical reasons for that. To come to the noble Lord’s real point, the first National Institute for Health and Care Research challenge funding call was launched in 2024, backed by £50 million. That tasked researchers and policymakers with finding new ways to tackle maternity disparities and poor pregnancy outcomes, and clearly that will support further research and policy. So we are looking to the future and I take on that challenge; it is one that we are meeting.

[Baroness Hollins (CB)]

My Lords, of course prevention is important, but does the noble Baroness agree that children with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder need continuing specialist education and support throughout life, as do their families, many of whom of course are adoptive families?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Baroness is quite right. This is one of the many reasons that I am enthusiastic, as we move towards the single patient record. We will absolutely ensure that carers and parents—however families are formed, because of course they are formed in different ways—are part of our consideration. The noble Baroness is absolutely right about that.