Oral Answers to Questions

Bill Esterson Excerpts
Tuesday 23rd October 2018

(6 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Matt Hancock Portrait Matt Hancock
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My right hon. Friend identifies a critical factor in improving the future of the NHS, which is to have stronger leadership at all levels, to be able to support innovation and to find out the best that is happening elsewhere and bring it to trusts. I know he has a particular interest in that, and I look forward to working with him on it.

Bill Esterson Portrait Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)
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Foetal alcohol spectrum disorders mean permanent brain damage. In the United States, studies show that one in 20 children are affected. So when will this Government carry out their own prevalence study, so that we can confirm the extent of this entirely preventable disability in the UK?

Steve Brine Portrait Steve Brine
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Public Health England collects some data on foetal alcohol syndrome, but we recognise that the data do not reflect the range of FASD. These disorders are difficult to diagnose, which is why we are engaging experts and those affected to explore what more could be done to improve our understanding.