Steps Research Into Development Dysplasia Of The Hip

EDM number 826 in 2008-09, proposed by David Anderson on 23/02/2009.
Categorised under the topics of Children and families and Health education and preventive medicine.

That this House warmly welcomes Baby Hip Health Awareness Week from 23 to 28 February 2009, organised by the STEPS charity, which provides support and information for lower limb conditions in children and young adults; notes that the aim of the national screening policy is to identify and treat infants with a hip abnormality at an early stage, with a post-birth hospital check and another check at six to eight weeks, because late diagnosis can lead to complex surgery and lifelong problems, often impacting on psychological development; further notes that up to 2,000 children a year are diagnosed with development dysplasia of the hip (DDH) which requires treatment involving splints and plaster body casts; is concerned, therefore that a STEPS survey of acute trusts and of primary care trusts (PCTs) showed a staggering gap in health policy which, if it were correctly followed, could detect DDH at an early age and prevent years of pain and emotional distress; is disappointed that many PCTs refuse to take responsibility for checking babies' hips, leaving it to GPs and creating massive inconsistency in procedure; further welcomes the STEPS survey of parents with children affected by lower limb conditions which shows that while many praised the care received during treatment for DDH, the majority felt that they were not informed about the condition, which was not clearly explained to them; and urges the Government to meet STEPS to investigate how these shortcomings can be overcome.

This motion has been signed by a total of 111 MPs.