asked the Minister for Health if he would consider expanding the role of the midwife in the provision of maternity services in our hospitals and in the communities.
Written Answers - Expansion of Midwife Role.
184.
The role of the midwife in hospitals is a professional matter to be decided by the matron and master, in the case of the maternity hospitals and the matron and obstetricians in the case of general hospitals. I understand that the responsibilities of midwives vary from hospital to hospital.
There is scope for greater liaison between public health nurses — all of whom are trained midwives — and general practitioners and hospitals in encouraging better take-up of ante-natal care. A further fall in the time normally spent in hospital following delivery could lead to an expansion of the role of the public health nurse vis-à-vis post-partum mothers and new born babies.