Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015
505. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of the 19 maternity units in hospitals that are funded as level 2 units only; his views on the connection between that lower level of funding and the safety of these units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13250/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Acute Medicine Programme has described four generic hospital models to provide a clear delineation of hospital services based on the safe provision of patient care within the constraints of available facilities, staff, resources and local factors. At present we have four stand-alone maternity facilities namely the Rotunda, the National Maternity Hospital, the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital and University Maternity Hospital Limerick. Each of the other 15 maternity units is based in either a Model 4 or Model 3 Hospital.
In line with the Chief Medical Officer's Report on perinatal deaths in Portlaoise, it is intended to establish managed clinical maternity networks across all Hospital Groups. This will ensure that smaller maternity services are supported to provide quality and safe maternity care for women and babies. The Deputy may wish to note that a Memorandum of Understanding between the Coombe and the HSE, to establish the country’s first managed maternity network in the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group, was signed last week.
