As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
However, I am pleased to advise progress has been made in many areas of the maternity services which encompass these recommendations.
Progress to date
Ireland’s first National Maternity Strategy, ‘Creating A Better Future Together, 2016 – 2026’ was published in January 2016 and delivered on a recommendation in the HIQA (Galway-Savita Halappanavar) Report to develop a Strategy to implement standard, consistent models for the delivery of a national maternity service that reflects best available evidence. Indeed, the Strategy aims to ensure that appropriate care pathways are in place in order that mothers, babies and families get the right care, at the right time, by the right team and in the right place. It is currently being implemented on a phased basis by the National Women and Infants’ Health Programme, which has been established within the HSE to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services across primary, community and acute care. In 2017, the Programme launched a detailed implementation plan for the Strategy, for which, this year, the Government has provided an additional €4.15m development funding.
Since 2016 each maternity unit publishes a Maternity Patient Safety Statement (MPSS). The monthly publication of the MPSS is a significant milestone in terms of openness and transparency. It will be a core element of clinical governance arrangements and as such is a critical step in improving patient safety.
I have endorsed and mandated full implementation of the following National Clinical Guidelines through the National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC);
- National Early Warning Score (NEWS) - February 2013.
- Irish Maternity Early Warning System (IMEWS) - November 2014
- Clinical Handover in Maternity Services - November 2014
- Sepsis Management - November 2014
- Clinical Handover in Acute and Children’s Hospital Services - November 2015
It should be noted that a further Maternity Guideline with the working title "Risk in Pregnancy" is in development.
In addition, HIQA published National Standards for Safer Better Maternity Services in January 2016 and HIQA intends to commence a monitoring process against these standards shortly.
As Minister for Health it would be inappropriate of me to comment on an individual court case.
