Vol. 519 No. 6
62 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children his policy in respect of community care services for new babies and their mothers; if he has satisfied himself that the public health nurse service is adequately resourced to implement this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14573/00]
The provision of community care services for mothers and new born infants is the statutory responsibility of the health boards. Under the maternity and infant care scheme, in which all women ordinarily resident in Ireland are eligible to participate an agreed programme of care provided for an expectant mother arising out of her pregnancy. This includes provision for a visit to a general practitioner two weeks and six weeks after the birth of the baby. In addition, the report of the maternity and infant care scheme review group, which was circulated in 1997, recommended that the director of community care-medical officer should be notified immediately of all births in hospitals and ensure that the public health nurse visits the mother and baby within 24 hours of discharge from hospital.
The maternity and infant care scheme was revised in December 1999, and all health boards were asked to ensure all the report's recommendations are implemented. A total of £970,000 was allocated for the year 2000 in order that this revision of the scheme could be carried out. Adequate resources are available to enable the health boards to fulfil their obligation to mothers and infants as laid out in the maternity and infant care scheme.
