asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of any rules, regulations, or requirements laid down by his Department in relation to the running and staffing of labour wards in public hospitals, private hospitals or private labour wards in public hospitals; and in particular, if there is any requirement that during labour and-or delivery, a doctor be present or adjacent.
Written Answers. - Labour Ward Facilities.
21.
There are no rules or regulations laid down by my Department in respect of running and staffing of labour wards in public hospitals or private labour wards in public hospitals. It is accepted practice, however, that delivery rooms should be staffed by qualified midwives and in teaching hospitals by midwifery students under the supervision of qualified midwives. Patients in labour are usually attended by a midwife if the delivery is expected to be normal. Should an emergency arise the midwife would call the doctor on duty. The question of attendance on private patients in labour by a consultant is a matter for the consultant and the patient.
Private hospitals and nursing homes must be registered as maternity homes under the Maternity Homes Act of 1934 and the Maternity Homes Regulations, 1934. My Department have, under these regulations, laid down standards in relation to premises, sanitary services, fire protection, furnishing, accommodation and medical and nursing staff.
In relation to medical and nursing staff it is a statutory requirement that the superintendent nurse of a registered maternity home must be a registered general nurse or a registered midwife. Apart from this statutory requirement it is desirable that the staffing arrangements in every home should be such that a registered medical practitioner or registered midwife is available for attendance on every woman in childbirth in the home.