I can assure the Deputy that there are now procedures in place to record and review maternal deaths and to ensure that any learning is disseminated and applied to help improve our maternity services.
The Confidential Maternal Death Enquiry in Ireland Report (2015) reports 12 direct maternal deaths in the period 2009 to 2013. A maternal death is classified as a Serious Reportable Events (SREs), and as such, must be reported through the National Incident Management System within 24 hours, investigations commenced within 48 hours of the organisation becoming aware of the incident, and investigations completed within four months of commencement. I understand that maternal deaths are reported to the Coroner as a 'rule of practice'.
The safety of service users is of course of paramount importance. All 19 Maternity Hospital/Units now publish monthly Maternity Patient Safety Statements (MPSS), in line with one of the recommendations of the CMO Portlaoise Report.
I launched the Maternity Strategy earlier this year which sets out a plan for improved, safe, quality maternity services for this country. In addition, HIQA is developing maternity standards which will be finalised later this year which will further strengthen the safety of our maternity services.
