Pippa Hackett (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I would like to provide an update on the Government's plans for gynaecology and maternal health services in the midlands. My colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and his Department are currently working with the HSE's national women and infants health programme to increase capacity and reduce waiting times for women awaiting general gynaecology through the implementation of the ambulatory gynaecology model of care.

This is a very positive development, and I look forward to seeing this model implemented on the ground in the midlands. First, what is an ambulatory gynaecological model of care? Essentially, it is a one-stop "see and treat" ambulatory gynaecology clinic. This model of care is a more efficient and effective use of resources than the traditional outpatient model. An estimated 70% of general gynaecology referrals are suitable for management in the ambulatory setting, and so I welcome the introduction of ambulatory clinics in the midlands and elsewhere, which will deliver a number of outcomes. They will improve access to gynaecology services; reduce the requirement for multiple gynaecology appointments; ensure sustainability of service provision into the future, given the very significant waiting lists for this specialty; and importantly, help improve clinical outcomes.

Investigations available include pelvic ultrasound, diagnostic hysteroscopy, and endometrial biopsy. Nine of these clinics are now operational across the country. A regional hub for women's health, which includes a specialist menopause clinic, was recently opened in Nenagh, County Tipperary. This is the first ambulatory gynaecology clinic to be operational for women in the midlands counties. I am conscious that Nenagh is a considerable distance from much of the rest of the midlands. From my own home in north Offaly, it is more than an hour by car to Nenagh. Therefore, I was delighted to hear that work is already under way on the recruitment, refurbishment and equipping of an ambulatory gynaecology clinic in Portlaoise, which is expected to be operational later this year.Budget 2022 funding will facilitate the establishment of further ambulatory gynaecology clinics, including in Mullingar and Kilkenny, thereby completing the implementation of the ambulatory gynaecology model of care, bringing the total number of these clinics to 20 nationally. These clinics will be associated with each of the 19 maternity hospitals across the country, as well as Tallaght University Hospital.

On maternity services, specifically in the midlands, funding packages of €223,000 and almost €400,000 were provided in 2021 to Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar and Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, respectively, for the recruitment of additional staff into maternity services at the hospitals. This included five clinical midwifery managers for both hospital- and community-based services, a medical social worker and healthcare assistants in Portlaoise and an assistant director of midwifery in Mullingar.

These developments are contributing, and will continue to contribute, to greatly improved access to and quality of care for women who need to avail of it. I look forward to hearing from midlands women about their experiences of these services on the ground over the coming months and years.