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Munchausen's Syndrome By Proxy: Methods Of Identification

Volume 622: debated on Wednesday 14 February 2001

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asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 22 November (

WA 84), whether they will name the chairman and external members of the steering group. [HL157]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
(Lord Hunt of Kings Heath)

In my reply to your previous Question about membership of the group on 22 November 2000 (WA 84), I explained that the external members included representatives from a wide range of professional bodies.The group is chaired by Mr Bruce Clark, a senior official from the Department of Health. The individual external members of the group, together

with the professional associations on whose behalf they are participating, include:

  • Dr G Adshead—Royal College of Psychiatry
  • Ms I Charles-Edwards—English National Board of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting
  • Mr J Fox—Association of Chief Police Officers
  • Ms S Hensman Royal College of Nursing
  • Ms D Kinnair—Community Practitioner and Health Visitors Association
  • Ms S Smallman—United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting
  • Dr D Sowden—Royal College of General Practitioners
  • Mr A Webb—Association of Directors of Social Services

These representatives are assisting the department in drafting guidance on induced or fabricated illness in children, which will be issued for public consultation shortly.