Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
845. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health the status of anomaly scans for pregnancies in the north east; if a service is available in other parts of the country for anomaly scans; if so, his plans to address this lack of service in the north east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37058/17]
View answerI am advised that foetal anomaly scans are available in all Hospital Groups. Those hospitals/maternity units currently providing anomaly scans accept referrals from other maternity units, if requested. This occurs where the medical team in the referring maternity unit consider that an anomaly scan is clinically indicated.
The National Maternity Strategy is very clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services. The Strategy will be implemented on a phased basis and this work will be led by the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme. Indeed, the issue of anomaly scanning is a priority issue for the Programme and, accordingly, it will develop clinical guidance regarding routine detailed scans at 20 weeks. In the meantime, the Programme will continue to work with the six Hospital Groups to assist in increasing access to anomaly scans for those units with limited availability.
One of the current challenges to increase access to anomaly scans is the recruitment of ultrasonographers. In this context, it is expected that the establishment of Maternity Networks across Hospital Groups will assist in developing a sustainable model that ensures that all women within each Hospital Group can access anomaly scans.
In relation to your specific query regarding the availability of scans in the North East, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
