Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to support Senator Whelan with regard to the report relating to Portlaoise hospital. It is important that this matter be debated. In that context, a number of key issues must be considered. In the first instance, there are 19 maternity units throughout the country. Why is it not possible to publish perinatal morality rates relating to each of these units, particularly when, as I understand it, such information is available? I also understand that an impression is being communicated to the effect that the larger units have far lower perinatal mortality rates than their smaller counterparts. It is about time all the relevant information relating to this matter was made available. There are some very good units throughout the country which are functioning extremely well. Those units that are providing a very good service should not be treated unfairly. In the context of what Senator Whelan said in respect of Portlaoise hospital, the number of births in this country increased from 61,500 per annum in 2003 to 75,500 in 2009. Very few additional staff were employed to allow the service throughout the country to cope with this increase. In other words, the health service did not respond to the requirements for front-line staff. People must understand that those who operate on the front line in hospitals work extremely hard and are very dedicated and committed. It is wrong that the impression has been given that the entire health service is failing in terms of delivery. It is important that we support those on the front line. Between 2003 and 2013, around 700,000 babies were delivered in Irish hospitals, and 99.9% of those deliveries were perfectly normal and resulted in good outcomes. We seem to lose sight of what constitutes good news when we are discussing the health service. That fact should be borne in mind. There is a need for a debate on this matter in order that all the relevant issues might be put on the table. We should not just focus on circumstances in which things have gone radically wrong. I accept the need to highlight such instances and to put in place remedies to prevent any recurrences. However, we must give credit where it is due, particularly where services are being delivered.