Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 February 2014
266. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the terms of reference for the development of the national strategy; the body responsible for drawing up the strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9962/14]
View answer267. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the draft document commissioned by the West/North West Hospitals Group which recommends that maternity services in the region would continue only at Galway University Hospital and Letterkenny General Hospital; if this will have any influence on the national maternity strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9963/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.
My Department is currently developing a new National Strategy for Maternity Services which will determine the optimal configuration of maternity services to ensure that women in Ireland have access to safe, high quality maternity care in a setting most appropriate to their needs. As part of the development of the Strategy, maternity services in all parts of the country will be reviewed and evaluated. This is in line with one of the recommendations of the HIQA report into the death of Savita Halappanavar. I intend to publish the Strategy this year.
Maternity services in the West/North West Hospital Group are the subject of a high level strategic review. A draft report, which presents options for the delivery of maternity and gynaecology services in to the future, is currently under consideration by the Hospital Group Board. The review will, when finalised, inform the National Strategy. The Deputy may wish to note that the draft report makes no recommendations in relation to the closure of any of the five maternity units within the West/North West Hospital Group.
