Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Maternity Services.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

540 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on com ments by a person (details supplied) that the caesarean section rate of 19% in this country is a matter of great concern and the views of the World Health Organisation that any country with a caesarean section rate above 15% needs to look at the reasons for this. [19497/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I am aware that the caesarean section rate has increased in the maternity hospitals over the past ten years. There is no correct caesarean section rate and very many reasons influence what a hospital's caesarean section rate may be. As with all medical interventions, caesarean sections should only be undertaken for sound clinical reasons in the interests of both mothers and babies.

My Department's chief medical officer has sought the views of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists which is the organisation with professional responsibility for standards in this area. On receipt of its reply, the chief medical officer will consider how best this issue can be addressed.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

541 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of caesarean sections carried out nationally in each of the years 1990, 1995 to 1999, and to date in 2000. [19498/00]

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

542 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of caesarean sections carried out in each of the public hospitals in each of the health board areas in each of the years 1990, 1995 to 1999, and to date in 2000. [19499/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 542 together.

The number of caesarean section deliveries in each public hospital by health board for the years 1990, 1995-99 and 2000, to the end of August unless otherwise stated, is as follows:

Hospital by Health Board	1990	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
National Maternity Hospital, Dublin	513	684	778	818	1,003	974	694
Coombe Women's Hospital, Dublin	410	891	929	937	1,015	1,137	842
Rotunda Hospital, Dublin	692	1,004	1,140	1,343	1,518	1,572	1,039
ERHA/EHA Total	1,615	2,579	2,847	3,098	3,536	3,683	2,575
Longford/Westmeath General Hospital	89	129	105	141	166	214	181 *1
General Hospital, Portlaoise	87	98	135	160	166	148	91 *1
Midland HB Total	176	227	240	301	332	362	272
Limerick Regional Maternity Hospital	345	581	713	864	1,002	1,081	n/a
MWHB Total	345	581	713	864	1,002	1,081	n/a
Louth County Hospital	58	83	110	97	98	112	72
Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda	335	381	466	479	527	490	375 *2
General Hospital, Cavan	82	138	118	204	204	246	171
General Hospital, Monaghan	71	42	59	65	65	70	59
NEHB Total	546	644	753	845	894	918	677
Hospital by Health Board	1990	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000
General Hospital, Letterkenny	112	128	190	210	224	261	190
General Hospital, Sligo	108	141	156	172	196	250	155
NWHB Total	220	269	346	382	420	511	345
General Hospital, Wexford	100	154	n/a	n/a	274	356	186
St. Joseph's Hospital, Clonmel	96	121	133	143	186	216	154
Waterford Maternity Hospital (Regional Hospital)	180	237	311	313	359	311	347 *2
St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny	109	182	234	256	338	305	236
SEHB Total	485	694	678	712	1,157	1,188	923
St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork	261	262	287	262	324	280	185
Erinville Hospital, Cork	341	365	380	487	532	614	447
Victoria Hospital, Cork*	68	49	67	10*	–	–	–
General Hospital, Tralee	125	104	140	175	218	194	153
SHB Total	795	780	874	924	1,074	1,088	785
Mayo General Hospital	n/a	164	198	198	203	202	174 *3
University College Hospital, Galway	325	366	446	487	471	521	388 *4
Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe	199	242	264	283	356	381	234
WHB Total	524	772	908	968	1,030	1,104	796
Ireland Total	4,706	6,546	7,359	8,094	9,445	9,935	6,373

*Maternity Unit closed Feb. 1997.

n/a indicates 'Not Available'.

*1 End of July

*2 12/9/00

*3 25/9/00

*4 13/9/00