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Maternal Mortality

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 December 2013

Wednesday, 18 December 2013

Ceisteanna (34, 35)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

34. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health his views on the levels of maternal mortality among migrant women when compared with women born here, as evidenced by the Confidential Maternal Death Enquiry in Ireland report which showed that, although 75.4% of maternities in Ireland in 2010 were women of Irish nationality, 40% of all maternal deaths identified in the triennium 2009-2011 occurred in women who were not born here; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54114/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Clare Daly

Ceist:

35. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the disproportionate numbers of maternal deaths to women of black minority ethnic status and the action he will take regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53984/13]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 35 together.

The Confidential Maternal Death Enquiry in Ireland report (2009-2011) confirms that the number of maternal mortalities in Ireland is small. While the Report does not specify ethnicity, 10 of the 25 deaths reported in the three year period were women not born in Ireland. There was no evidence of clustering of cases in any one hospital.

A significant issue identified in the report was engagement with maternity services and the importance of the availability of interpretive services. A similar report in the UK identified late presentation, poor attendance and poor engagement as risk factors. The HSE is working to ensure that all women, regardless of ethnicity, engage fully with health care services as early as possible in their pregnancy. With regard to women who come from outside of Ireland, one of the initiatives under development is a standardised model for the provision of interpretive services. This will ensure that patients and health care staff have access to an appropriate translation service when required and that the importance of engaging with maternity services is fully understood.

Pregnant women who have underlying medical conditions are identified as having a higher level of risk to their health in pregnancy. A particular concern highlighted by the report was the issue of non-Irish national patients receiving alternative medical advice from outside the country. It is therefore important to ensure that this cohort of women have access to appropriate medical advice and information in Ireland including pre-conceptual counselling and referral to specialist consultants. To this end a range of health information resources are translated into foreign languages and made available as appropriate.

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