NICE under fire over smoking test

Smoking

Health watchdog NICE has come under fire from local MEP Paul Nuttall about plans to introduce tests for pregnant women to check if they are smoking.

"When the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence isn't heartlessly rationing life saving drugs it's sticking its nose where it is neither wanted nor needed.

"Everyone knows it isn't wise for pregnant women to smoke - and that includes mums-to-be," said Mr Nuttall, UKIP Deputy Leader.

"The proposals to test carbon monoxide levels may not be compulsory but nevertheless they will undermine trust between patient and midwife and some women may feel pressurised into taking it, at the very time pressure is the last thing they need.

"Encouraging them not to smoke is one thing but testing is a step too far. If NICE want to help pregnant women they would be better pushing for more midwives as there is a worrying shortage of them and that potentially creates a much greater risk for patients," said Mr Nuttall.