Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, let me thank the Deputy for raising what I know is a very important issue. I fully understand how important the midwifery-led unit at Cavan General Hospital is to the women and families who access maternity care there. In that regard, on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, I would like to commit to ensuring that midwifery-led services will continue to be available at the hospital.

Last June, the Department of Health became aware of reports in local media referring to the planned merger of the midwifery-led unit and consultant-led services at Cavan General Hospital. The Department was not advised of any intention to merge the services at the hospital or, indeed, of any intended change to the arrangements that had been in place. I should be clear that the programme for Government contains a firm commitment in respect of the implementation of the national maternity strategy. Therefore, current Government policy is to provide and expand midwifery-led maternity care right across the country, including in Cavan.

I should remind the House that budget 2021 provided new funding of €12 million for maternity and gynaecology developments. This significant funding will ensure a renewed impetus to the implementation of the national maternity strategy and the roll-out of the new model of maternity care. In particular, the funding will help to build capacity in the maternity services workforce and further develop community-based midwifery services.

With regard to the situation in Cavan, the Deputy will recall that the Department requested the national women and infants health programme to engage with the RCSI Hospital Group to provide a report on the matter. Assurances were also sought that maternity services within the RCSI Hospital Group are, and will continue to be, developed in line with Government policy. The Department has recently been advised by the HSE's chief clinical officer that the RCSI Hospital Group has undertaken an initial assessment of the Cavan midwifery-led unit. I understand that the findings of that assessment indicate that if the service is to continue and, indeed, expand, the input and support of a senior external clinician will be required. I am pleased to confirm that a clinician has been identified from within the existing Rotunda Hospital consultant complement and will commence working and attending at Cavan General Hospital for an average of two days per week in the coming months. In the meantime, the Department has been assured that the midwifery-led service will continue operating as normal and that bookings are being accepted from women wishing to avail of it.

I assure the Deputy that the Department will work with the national women and infants health programme to ensure that any additional supports required to secure and expand community midwifery services in Cavan will be put in place. This will ensure that midwifery-led services at Cavan General Hospital are supported, strengthened and expanded, in line with the national maternity strategy.

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