Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2022
11. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health if he will immediately implement a fast thorough review of the existing National Maternity Hospital given that it will be some time before the new national maternity hospital is built (details supplied). [26034/22]
View answerGovernment recently made the significant decision on the long-term solution to replacing Holles street. This will be a platform for the much-needed change on how we will provide care to women in Ireland.
There are infrastructural challenges with facilities at Holles St. It’s not in keeping with our National Maternity Strategy. I want to thank and acknowledge all the wonderful staff at the NMH who are providing excellent quality and safe services for women and infants.
Minor capital funding continues to be provided to assist with ongoing repairs and maintenance of the hospital. We continue to improve and expand existing services at the NMH. We are also introducing new services, including investment in staffing to progress the Maternity Strategy:
- a “see and treat” gynaecology clinic,
- regional fertility hub for the Ireland East Hospital Group
- establishment of the first specialist menopause clinic, last year, and
- national foetal MRI service.
I recently opened an extension to the Labour and Birthing Suite. Women attending will receive the benefit of these upgraded facilities which now include:
- 12-ensuite rooms
- Hydrotherapy pool,
- Specialised room for immunocompromised patients, and
- Dedicated bereavement suite.
I understand that NMH and HSE are engaging regarding additional areas for potential investment until relocation to Elm Park is complete. But the scale of those works must be balanced as larger interventions could reduce clinical capacity in the interim.
As part of my Department’s first Strategic Investment Framework, a survey of all healthcare infrastructure is underway. This will assist in the empirical prioritisation of future investment.
However, the long-term future of NMH is not at Holles Street. I am committed to ensuring the new NMH is supported as centre of excellence for maternity care. This will ensure that women are treated with dignity and respect in an appropriate physical environment.
