Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to thank the witnesses for coming in and sharing their experience and knowledge with us. I have tabled several parliamentary questions for the attention of the HSE on the 20-week scan, on which I feel very strongly. The response to one question was sent and then amended. It had initially said that 20 to 22 week scans are routinely provided to patients in certain hospitals, but subsequently clarified that by saying they are available to patients in those hospitals. How would one know that a 20-week scan was clinically indicated, if the scan itself is supposed to be a screening tool? To what extent might a woman herself know? This type of scan is considered fairly basic in most developed health services. What are the barriers to women being able to access this routinely? Could the witnesses break that down into the following three sections: equipment, training and ethos? A family member of mine had her first baby in England. When she came home to Ireland to have her second child she asked about the scan, assuming it was routine. A very off-the-cuff remark was made to her, indicating that these scans are not done in Ireland, abortion is not available in Ireland, and she was not in England any longer. I wonder to what extent that is a barrier. I believe it might be but I would be interested to know if the witnesses could shed some light on that.

Are there staff shortages for providing post-birth support? I am referring specifically to breast-feeding, which some women will struggle with, particularly if there is no time for staff to sit with her and help her, or if she lacks familial support. A midwife recently indicated to me that breast-feeding among members of the Polish community is up at 95% to 98%, even though these women are giving birth further away from their families in many instances. What is the problem with breast-feeding for Irish women? It is a long time since I had a small baby, but I understood it to be a cheap, easy and convenient way to feed a child. I did not have any issues with it. I thought it was very handy, but I am wondering what the barriers are. Is it a staffing issue? Is it that after a woman gives birth she is handed the baby on the way out the door, told she has now done the hard bit - obviously she has not - and she goes home? Do women need someone who can sit with them to assist with breast-feeding?

Is there a model for peri-natal mental health supports that we can look at? Is there another country with a gold standard?

The witnesses from AIMSI said that there is cherry-picking of resources, placing some areas ahead of others. Perhaps they could outline what was meant by that.