Vol. 411 No. 6
122 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to (a) the lack of maternity facilities in County Clare and (b) the hardship which is being caused by the absence of such facilities; and if he has any plans to provide a maternity service in County Clare.
The provision of health services for County Clare is a matter for the Mid-Western Health Board in the first instance.
It is the policy of the Mid-Western Health Board that all obstetrics services in the region should operate on a centralised basis at the Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick. Gynaecological and ante-natal care are provided at Ennis General Hospital on an out-patient basis.
In line with the trend nationally, the number of births in the mid-west region has continued to fall in recent years and it is envisaged that obstetrics services should continue to be provided at the Regional Maternity Hospital. This is in accordance with medical advice as to the most appropriate way of providing services for the region as a whole.
