Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
585. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the funding that was provided to the National Maternity Strategy in 2023; the level of funding sought by the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme for the National Maternity Strategy in 2023; if he expects the €43.6 million required to implement the strategy by 2026 to be provided in full and the level provided to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52025/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraProgressing women's health continues to be a top priority for this Government. We have overseen unprecedented levels of investment in women's health. We have provided for significant funding for gynaecology, endometriosis services, for screening and menopause supports. We have invested in women's mental health services including perinatal mental health.
The National Maternity Strategy is moving into its 8th year. A total of €25.65m in new development funding has been invested from 2016-2022. This has enabled the total recruitment of 465 full-time staff across the country.
A revised implementation plan for the National Maternity Strategy was published in November 2021. The revised Plan set out all remaining activity in relation to the implementation of Strategy 2022-2026, provided timelines for each action and mapped out the Strategy’s full implementation within the remaining timeframe of the Strategy’s lifetime. At that time, the remainder of the Strategy’s implementation was fully costed at approximately €43.7m.
Significant investment of €16m in 2021 and 2022 provided renewed momentum to the National Maternity Strategy. This has enabled recruitment of over 146 full-time health professionals across maternity services. This investment is funding recruitment across a broad range of specialties of care. Over 70 midwives and nurses. 23 health and social care professionals. 7 consultants, and a range of supporting staff.
These staff, and this investment, improve women’s lives every day.
The implementation of the strategy's Model of Care is providing more choice for women. All 19 maternity services now offer the midwife-led supported care pathway. Each maternity service now has a lactation consultant and bereavement team.
Postnatal hubs have been established in Kerry, Cork, Portiuncula, and in Sligo. These hubs are providing postnatal care within the community; a priority identified by women in the National Maternity Experience Survey and in our Sláintecare objectives.
The Maternity and Newborn Clinical Management System, funded through the Strategy, is the only full Electronic Health Record in the public health system. It is currently live in 4 sites, covering 40% of births nationally.
This funding is providing for additional home-from-home birthing suites. It is also enabling upgrades to theatres and wards.
We are establishing a National Perinatal Genomics Service; evaluating, diagnosing, managing and treating anomalies before birth.
Furthermore, through Strategy funding, a maternity network has been set up within each Hospital Group to provide leadership and support. Training and education supports have been strengthened for maternity staff.
All these many new developments are supporting improved choice for women. They provide safe, high quality, nationally consistent, woman-centred maternity care. The significant funding provided in 2021 and 2022 will continue to enhance the experience of all women using our maternity services.
In 2023, funding was requested by the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme for 2024 and incorporated into the estimates process of the department. I will issue a Letter of Determination to the HSE outlining my priorities and funding levels for 2024. The HSE will then draw up its National Service Plan. At that point, a detailed breakdown of expenditure will be available.
