Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2003

Vol. 563 No. 1

Written Answers - Maternity Services.

Jerry Cowley

Question:

415 Dr. Cowley asked the Minister for Health and Children his position regarding decisions by the masters of the Dublin maternity hospitals not to accept referrals from independent or home-birth midwives for ultrasound scans and blood tests to be carried out for women who have chosen home birth; if he will move to have this restriction lifted in the interests of the women involved; if his attention has been drawn to an Irish Nursing Board initiative to regulate independent midwifery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7096/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Responsibility for the provision of hospital services to residents of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.

My Department is advised that the three Dublin maternity hospitals have stopped taking referrals from independent midwives for ultrasound scans and blood tests to be carried out for women who have chosen home births. I understand that the women involved are able to access the necessary scans and tests in hospitals through their general practitioners under the maternity and infant care scheme.

The health board chief executive officers have recently established a domiciliary births group which will make recommendations on the long-term approach to this issue. This group's recommendations will inform the development of national policies, procedures and protocols necessary for home births.

An Bord Altranais regulates the education and training of nurses and midwives. My Department has been informed by An Bord Altranais that it has no plans, at this time, to regulate midwifery further, including the practice of independent midwives. Practices in this area are already covered by the code of professional conduct for nurses and midwives, the scope of practice for nurses and midwives and the guidelines for midwives.