23 MFómh 2015, 15:04
The Joint Committee on Health and Children will convene tomorrow, Thursday 24th September, in order to meet with the Masters of the Coombe & Rotunda Maternity Hospitals.
23rd September 2015
The meeting will deal with the future of maternity services, as well as with matters relating to babies born to mothers with addiction issues.
Appearing before the Committee will be:
• Dr. Sharon Sheehan, Master of the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital (CWIUH);
• Dr. Sam Coulter-Smyth, Master of the Rotunda Maternity Hospital.
Committee Chair, Jerry Buttimer TD says: “In May, the Joint Committee held meetings in relation to the HIQA report on maternity services at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise. A number of tragic incidents put the spotlight on patient safety in maternity services.
“While the vast majority of expectant mothers enjoy a high standard of care across the country, our national maternity infrastructure faces a number of challenges. Tomorrow’s meeting with the Masters of the Coombe and the Rotunda will afford the Committee the opportunity to discuss the future of maternity services in Ireland. Our Committee wishes to have a discussion on whether the infrastructure and supports currently in place can meet the needs of the country over coming years.”
“The Committee will be keen to hear from Doctors Sheehan and Coulter-Smyth on the development of maternity services at national level. Other issues that are likely to arise are the funding and resourcing of maternity care, as well as capacity issues as the Irish population continues to rise.”
“Dr. Coulter-Smyth will also be accompanied by a Dr. Adrienne Foran neo-natal consultant who will engage with the Committee on issues surrounding children born to mothers with addiction issues. The Committee is of the firm belief that we must continue to improve quality, safety and governance in maternity services in order to ensure the health and safety of mothers and babies.”
The meeting will start in Committee Room 2, LH 2000, at 9.30am tomorrow, Thursday, 24th September 2015.
Committee proceedings can be followed live here.
The meeting will also be broadcast live on Oireachtas TV on Sky Channel 574; UPC Channel 207 and eVision Channel 504.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
ENDS
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Committee Membership
Chairman: Jerry Buttimer
Deputies
Catherine Byrne, Ciara Conway (Vice-Chair), Regina Doherty, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Seamus Healy, Billy Kelleher, Eamonn Maloney, Clare Daly, Sandra McLellan, Joe Costello, Dan Neville, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Robert Troy
Senators
Colm Burke, Thomas Byrne, John Crown, John Gilroy, Imelda Henry and Jillian Van Turnhout