Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2006
395 Mr. Kehoe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 was transferred from a hospital; the efforts which are being made to return them back to a facility in their local area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1592/06]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
396 Ms McManus asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of after-birth visits permitted for a mother (details supplied); if the number of visits to non-medical card holders is limited to two visits; if this has been changed recently; and if so, when and the change of same. [1653/06]
View answerThe maternity and infant care scheme provides an agreed programme of care, free of charge, to an expectant mother arising out of her pregnancy and to her new born baby for six weeks after birth. All expectant mothers, irrespective of being medical card holders or not, who are ordinarily resident in Ireland are eligible to avail of services under the scheme. Women who choose to avail of these services are under the care of both a general practitioner of their choice and a hospital obstetrician. Care can be obtained from any general practitioner who has a contract for the provision of services under the scheme.
The scheme provides for 12 ante-natal visits, six to the general practitioner and six to the chosen maternity unit or hospital in the case of a first pregnancy. In subsequent pregnancies, there are seven visits to the general practitioner and five to the maternity unit or hospital. There are also two post-natal visits to the general practitioner, at two weeks for the baby and at six weeks for mother and baby. There has been no change to the number of visits provided for under the scheme, whether ante-natal or post-natal.
