Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a few comments which I will address to each of the groups. In his opening statement Mr. McGrane mentioned the importance of audits. Is there a difficulty in collecting information across 19 maternity units to have proper information and engage in planning?

Perhaps the models of specialist care, assisted care and supported care and how they differ might be outlined. It was also mentioned that there is a quality and safety manager in each unit and a serious incident management forum. Do they exist at the moment or are they planned? In respect of Dr. Boylan and the governance model, the opening statement referred to maternity leads, if they do not have authority, not being held responsible or that they should not have the same level of responsibility. I presume that compares the mastership model to other models. Perhaps that might be expanded upon.

If our maternity hospitals become co-located with general hospitals, as is planned over the next number of years, will that lead to better working conditions and improve the ability to recruit and retain staff? Will that be a factor? What are the differences between a midwifery-led service as opposed to the standard service? Dr. Boylan referenced a possibility of conflict between doctors and midwives in his opening statement, depending on the model of care and in particular the supported model of care.

I also refer to open disclosure. We are looking at open disclosure legislation in the Oireachtas and a Bill going through at the moment. Would open disclosure in a timely fashion decrease the number of cases being taken? It appears information is very slow to come out in relation to adverse incidents and timely open disclosure may obviate litigation. Should there also be a mandatory inquest into all maternity deaths? Again, legislation in the Dáil proposes that this would be the case, which does not seem to happen at the moment.