Vol. 513 No. 4
168 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children his response to reports that the National Maternity Hospital is refusing to take patients from outside the Eastern Health Board region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2693/00]
The Deputy will be aware that the promotion of regional self-sufficiency in terms of service provision is an established principle of health care policy in this country. Consistent with this policy is the provision of a comprehensive local obstetric service for women in each health board area. The National Maternity Hospital, in consultation with health boards, took a decision early last year to restrict bookings to persons resident in the hospital's designated catchment area. I am assured by the hospital that it is continuing to accept appropriate tertiary referrals from maternity units outside its catchment area.
