Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Apr 2001

Vol. 533 No. 6

Written Answers. - Maternity Services.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

219 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of hours a mother and child will be allowed to stay in the maternity units of hospitals in Cavan and Drogheda before they travel home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9446/01]

Seymour Crawford

Question:

220 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is satisfied that there are sufficient bed space and staff available in hospitals in Drogheda and Cavan for all the transfers of expectant mothers from Monaghan General Hospital and Dundalk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9447/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together.

The North Eastern Health Board is responsible for the provision of hospital services in its functional area. I am advised by the board that the attending consultant obstetrician determines the appropriate care, treatment and duration thereof of mothers and their children based on the clinical and medical condition presenting in individual cases.

I am further advised by the board that approximately 2.3 births per day from Monaghan General Hospital and Dundalk County Hospital will be delivered at Cavan and Drogheda and that this number should not have any significant demands on bed space. With regard to staff availability, I am advised that midwives from both Monaghan General Hospital and Louth County Hospital have been redeployed at both Cavan and Drogheda thereby providing adequate staffing levels.