Niamh Smyth
Ceist:158. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the additional funding being provided for the National Maternity Strategy in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50614/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 19 October 2021
Ceisteanna (158)
Freagraí scríofa
I would like to assure the Deputy that the issue of Women’s Health remains a key priority for me and for the Government. In line with commitments made in the Programme for Government, Budget 2022 commits a substantial financial investment of €31m to support women’s health projects. This includes investment in the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy, investment in gynaecology services and a doubling of the Women’s Health Fund from €5 million to €10 million.
National Maternity Strategy
Funding of €8.66m has been allocated for the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy for 2022. Implementation of the Strategy is required to ensure standard, consistent models for the delivery of a national maternity service that reflects best available evidence and ensures that all pregnant women have appropriate and informed choice, as well as access to the right level of safe care and support 24 hours a day. The funding and the associated WTEs will ensure the continued roll out of the Strategy’s model of care and its 3 care pathways – Supported, Assisted and Specialised.
Funding allocated for 2022 will permit the recruitment of an additional 99.5 WTEs into maternity services across the country. The posts will cover a variety of disciplines, including, obstetrics, neonatology, endocrinology, anaesthetics, dietetics, midwifery, physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
These posts are required to ensure the Strategy’s vision of a new model of integrated, team-based care that provides increased choice to women while ensuring that every woman can access the right level of care, from the right professional, at the right time and in the right place, based on her needs. Continuing the phased implementation of the Strategy is vital to ensure that these objectives are met.
Funding allocated to the Strategy in 2022 will ensure:
- All maternity services will have a minimum of six permanent consultant posts thereby eliminating the need for the continued reliance on temporary and locum post holders and enabling sustainable built-in cover and on-call rotas;
- Increased availability of medical specialists in the area of endocrinology, ensuring that all maternity services have at least one dedicated CMS in the area of diabetes care;
- Expanded provision of out of hours consultant anaesthetist availability for maternity services;
- AMP posts developed specifically in the management of high risk women;
- Development of dedicated midwifery senior resources within maternity services dedicated to the area of foetal monitoring surveillance;
- Development of two dedicated postnatal hubs targeted at supporting women for up to 14 days post birth and addressing many of the gaps and deficiencies identified by women in the area of postnatal care including education, breastfeeding supports, physiotherapy, emotional and physical supports;
- Increased on-site presence of senior midwifery decision makers across a range of areas including community services, delivery suites, antenatal and postnatal wards;
- Support provided to national lead roles in NWIHP in the area of breastfeeding and antenatal education and obstetric emergencies with a view to strengthening training and education supports;
- Increased access to key allied health professional services and supports including dietetics and medical social work; and improved care provided to neonates in line with the HSE’s Model of Care for Neonatal services.
The additional funding in Budget 2022 will ensure continued implementation of the National Maternity Strategy into 2022 and beyond, building on the significant investment in 2021.