asked the Minister for Health if, in view of the public disquiet in Carlow because of the inadequate maternity services, he will make financial provisions for a consultancy staffed unit; and if he will indicate to Comhairle na nOspidéal the need for a consultant obstetrician for Carlow Maternity Hospital.
Written Answers. - Carlow Maternity Services.
746.
Consultant obstetrician-gynaecologists from St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny, hold a weekly out-patient clinic in the Maternity Hospital, Carlow.
The South-Eastern Health Board have plans for the development of St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, to provide consultant obstetric, paediatric, gynaecological, medical and surgical services together with consultant radiological and pathological services for a catchment area which includes County Carlow.
Comhairle na nOspidéal have laid down certain requirements for the development of maternity units. Included among these requirements are, firstly, that such units should not be developed in isolation but should form part of a general hospital campus so that the fullest use could be made of the medical expertise and the diagnostic services available in such a hospital. Secondly, at consultant level, obstetric services should be concentrated into viable units catering for, at a minimum 1,500 to 2,000 deliveries per year. These requirements have been laid down to ensure that mothers and babies obtain the best possible care available. The Maternity Hospital in Carlow does not fulfil either of these requirements.
The number of deliveries at Carlow Maternity Hospital has been declining steadily from 547 in 1976 to 206 in 1982. Even if all County Carlow mothers opted to have their confinements at Carlow Maternity Hospital, the number of deliveries would be considerably below the minimum guidelines set down by Comhairle na nOspidéal.
Substantial expenditure would be involved in bringing the Maternity Hospital in Carlow to the level required for a consultant staffed maternity unit. Even if the unit in Carlow were equipped and staffed to the required level, it is quite likely that some mothers from County Carlow would continue to prefer to have their babies delivered in either St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, or the Dublin maternity hospitals. With the number of births falling well below the level recommended by Comhairle na nOspidéal for a viable maternity unit, this would make the Carlow unit uneconomic, and possibly unsuccessful in attracting and retaining the services of consultant staff.
In the circumstances, the development of a consultant staffed maternity unit at Carlow would not be justified.