Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am extremely grateful to Senator Martin for raising this issue and giving me this opportunity to speak on it in the Seanad on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. The Senator will know from my long time in the Seanad and previously as a backbencher that this is an issue very close to my heart. It is one I have spoken on at great length more generally when it comes to antenatal care, but also given the geographic implications for my own part of the world, as well as dealing with many relations and, indeed, Kildare Green Party members in the Senator’s own part of the world.

I stress that, as evidenced in the programme for Government and the significant investment in maternity services in both 2021 and 2022, the Government is fully committed to the implementation of the national maternity strategy. Despite the very significant disruption experienced right across the healthcare system over the last number of years, maternity services have continued to develop in line with the national maternity strategy's revised implementation plan. As the Senator may know, the strategy outlines a new model of care for maternity services with three care pathways - supported, assisted and specialised - ensuring that women receive the right care, from the right professional, at the right time and, crucially, in the right place. In line with that model of care, pregnant women deemed to be at normal risk will be offered and encouraged to avail of care in the supported care pathway.

Key to realising this goal is the development and expansion of community midwifery services. The strategy is very clear that improved access to midwifery services is central to increasing women's choice of experience, a strategic principle of the strategy. In line with that, the HSE is working closely with hospitals and hospital groups to ensure that access to care, including maternity care, is improved for all. In April 2020, the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital transferred its antenatal clinics from Naas General Hospital to the Coombe. This was in the context of risk mitigation measures undertaken by Naas General Hospital in response to its spatial challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. As we are all aware, Covid pushed our healthcare system, including our physical facilities, to the limit. As such, rearrangements had to be made in certain hospitals and services, often with very little notice to implement these. After the initial move, temporary accommodation was found for a midwifery-led clinic in Newbridge, and more recently in Celbridge. These clinics are fully supported by a consultant clinic at the Coombe.

I appreciate that these changes may cause inconvenience to patients who must travel a longer distance to access their antenatal clinic and experience the rush-hour traffic which the Senator detailed. Equitable access to services is a priority for the Government. The Coombe hospital has informed the Department of Health that it is actively working with the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group to find a long-term solution to the relocation of this service within the midlands area. If considering options for accommodation of this clinic in new facilities in or near Naas General Hospital, the normal HSE procurement process and protocols would have to be followed. However, I encourage the Senator when, as he stated, he has recommendations or testimonials, to please bring them forward to the Minister, the HSE and the hospital group more generally. I assure him that the Government is committed to making real and sustainable improvements in our health and maternity services in Kildare and much further beyond.