Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 19 October 2020 to Question 102813, whether he plans to make an assessment of the implications for his policies of the testimony of parents who note that on learning their child has Down's syndrome they feel led by medical professionals to abort their child.

The Department expects clinicians to follow the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ guidance on Termination of Pregnancy for Fetal Abnormality in England, Scotland and Wales, which states that all staff involved in the care of a woman or couple facing a possible termination of pregnancy must adopt a non-directive, non-judgemental and supportive approach.

The Royal College is currently reviewing its clinical guidelines and guidance for the care of women through antenatal screening and further diagnostic testing. A new core curriculum for professionals working in maternity and neonatal services has been developed by the Maternity Transformation Programme, which includes training on ultrasound scanning and related conversations.