Vol. 539 No. 3
78 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health and Children if, following the audit carried out by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists on the high rate of caesarean births here, he will give the percentage of births that are carried out by caesarean in each maternity hospital; the equivalent figures for 1991; the steps he intends to take arising from these figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19200/01]
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of 1991 was not routinely collected at the time by my Department. However, I have requested the relevant unit within the Department to have the information collated and to forward it to the Deputy.
I am aware that there are variations in the rate of caesarean section across the maternity hospitals and units. My Department's chief medical officer sought the views of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in this matter.
The chief medical officer was informed by the institute, following consideration of the matter, that it was recommending that each maternity hospital carry out a prospective audit of delivery by caesarean section to inform further consideration of the issue.
The chief medical officer has recently requested a progress report from the institute in relation to the audit of caesarean section rates across maternity hospitals and units.
