Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to update the guidance by NHS England Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle to include advice on how to reduce poor outcomes in multiple pregnancies; and if not, why not.

The Saving Babies’ Lives Care Bundle is undergoing review by an oversight group consisting of nationally recognised experts, including representatives of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society. Upon completion of the review, and subject to necessary approvals, NHS England aims to publish an updated version of the Care Bundle.

There are no plans to include a new, specific element relating to multiple pregnancies in the updated version of the Care Bundle. Guidance relating to the management of multiple pregnancies is currently available from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The Twins and Multiple Births Association has promoted the widespread adoption of this guidance. The oversight group concluded that inclusion of an additional element specifically focusing on multiple pregnancies would and add little benefit beyond compliance with NICE guidance.