umbilical cords

Summary

A request was made to the Department of Health and Social Care regarding the current policy on umbilical cord clamping times after birth. The authority responded that no specific policy is held and the information is not routinely collected or audited.

Key Facts

• The Department of Health and Social Care does not hold a policy on umbilical cord clamping.
• The department is aware of evidence suggesting the cord should be allowed to pulse for around a minute.
• Umbilical cord clamping data is not part of the routinely collected maternity data set.
• The information requested cannot be audited or collated by the department.
• The request was closed on 22 June 2018.

Data Disclosed

• 29 May 2018
• 22 June 2018
• 483536
• around a minute
• Freedom of Information Act 2015

Original Request

What is the current policy on cutting or clamping the umbilical cord? i.e. immediately on birth ? or how long before clamping after the birth?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Chief Executive: Malcolm Couch Freedom of Information Team DHSC Digital Cronk Coar Strang IM4 4RJ

(01624) 642621 dhsc@foi.gov.im Website: www.gov.im/dhsc

Our ref: 483536 22 June 2018

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 29 May 2018 and which states:

"What is the current policy on cutting or clamping the umbilical cord? i.e. immediately on birth ? or how long before clamping after the birth?"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested.

The Department does not hold a Policy in relation to umbilical cord clamping. The Department is aware of the evidence base that promotes allowing the cord to pulse for around a minute, however, this is not part of our routinely collected maternity data set so this information isn't audited or collated in any way that allows us to provide the answer to this question.

Please quote the reference number 483536 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on;

1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or
2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
   In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely