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Maternity Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 February 2017

Wednesday, 1 February 2017

Ceisteanna (59, 81, 100, 130)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

59. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Health his plans to instruct the HSE to draw up national guidance on the provision of routine detailed scans at 20 weeks; the progress to date on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4556/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

81. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will ring-fence funds specifically for the necessary investment in equipment and personnel for providing 20-week routine scans for pregnant women; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4547/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

100. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the number of pregnant women offered or given 20-week routine scans as a percentage of total pregnancies in each of the six maternity units in which these scans are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4559/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

130. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the reason detailed 20-week routine scans for pregnant women are not provided routinely or offered to all patients; his plans to extend this facility from the current six maternity units to all 19 maternity units here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4558/17]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 81, 100 and 130 together.

An anomaly scan is a full detailed anatomical survey of pregnant women that takes place between 20 and 22 weeks' gestation. Anomaly scans are currently available in the following Hospital Groups:

- Ireland East Hospital Group - The National Maternity Hospital

- Dublin Midlands Hospital Group - The Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital

- RCSI Hospital Group - The Rotunda Hospital

- Saolta Hospital Group - University Hospital Galway

- South/South West Hospital Group - Cork University Maternity Hospital

University Maternity Hospital Limerick offers two routine scans during pregnancy (at booking and at 31-32 weeks). Additional anomaly scans at 20-22 weeks are offered if clinically indicated.

The hospitals/maternity units currently providing anomaly scans accept referrals from other maternity units, if requested. This occurs where the medical team in the referring maternity unit consider that an anomaly scan is clinically indicated.

The issue of anomaly scanning is a priority issue for the newly established HSE National Women and Infant’s Health Programme (NWIHP). A Programme Director was seconded into position on the 3rd January last. A Clinical Director has recently been appointed and takes up position on the 1st March 2017. An early priority for the Programme will be to develop clinical guidance regarding routine detailed scans at 20 weeks. In the meantime, the NWIHP will continue to work with the six Hospital Groups to assist in increasing access to anomaly scans for those units with limited availability.

One of the current challenges to increase access to anomaly scans is the recruitment of ultra-sonographers. In this context it is expected that the establishment of maternity networks across hospital groups will assist in developing a sustainable model that ensures that all women within each hospital group can access anomaly scans.

In relation to the query concerning the number of pregnant women who have been offered or provided with an anomaly scan, as this is an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

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