Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 February 2021
330. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the status of the work of the HSE national women and infants health programme; the status of the roll-out of phase one of the ambulatory care model for gynaecology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10923/21]
View answerIn January 2017, the National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) was established in the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. In addition, the NWIHP was mandated to drive and lead the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy.
The NWIHP, therefore, provides strategic direction and leadership, drives improvement, and fosters a learning culture in maternity, neonatal and gynaecological services. The NWIHP also aims to ensure that learning from adverse incidents is disseminated and applied in a comprehensive and consistent manner, promoting a national approach to consistent, evidenced-based practice in maternity care.
The NWIHP is intended to act as the single central authority on maternity care and as a reference point and resource for women’s health issues within the HSE. The NWIHP is also tasked with the appropriate allocation of all new development funding for maternity, neonatal and gynaecological services, which includes the €12m funding provided under Budget 2021 for new developments in maternity and gynaecology services.
With regard to the status of the Ambulatory Gynaecology Model of Care, the roll out of Phase One commenced in 2020, with the establishment of the first three clinics under the governance of the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Cork University Maternity Hospital and University Hospital Galway. In addition, a more limited clinic is being developed in Waterford University Hospital.
The NWIHP has advised that the clinics in Cork and Galway are currently operational, while it is anticipated that the Rotunda clinic will be operational in 2021, once the necessary refurbishment works have been completed. It is also anticipated that the Waterford service will commence in 2021.
Budget 2021 funding will accelerate the implementation of the new Model of Care and facilitate the introduction of additional ambulatory clinics this year. This will facilitate the roll out of Phase One to be completed, and Phase 2 to commence. Subject to available resources, it is envisaged that up to 19 ambulatory gynaecology clinics will be rolled out in the coming years.
