Barry Sheerman – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Barry Sheerman on 2016-06-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to ensure that prospective parents are given adequate and balanced information on (a) living with Down’s Syndrome and its effect on families, (b) the life prospects of people with Down’s Syndrome and (c) community and other support available for people with Down’s Syndrome and their families.

Jane Ellison

If testing during pregnancy indicates the baby will be born with Down’s syndrome, the parents should be offered genetic counselling to allow them to discuss the impact of the diagnosis. They may also be offered an appointment to meet a doctor or other health professional who works with children with Down’s syndrome, who can also tell them more about the condition and answer any questions they may have. This may include information on the support available.

More detailed information for parents is also available from NHS Choices.