Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 22: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on maternity services here, in particular the recent reports that women attending the maternity unit of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda have to wait until the start of the fifth month of pregnancy before seeing an obstetrician due to increased pressure on services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12086/07]

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 105: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the discussions she has had with the Health Service Executive regarding the critical situation in the maternity unit of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where pregnant women have to wait up to the 20th week of their pregnancy before securing an appointment with an obstetrician; the measures she will take to address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11815/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 105 together.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall Vote.

My Department has been informed by the HSE that the number of women in the Louth/Meath region presenting for assessment during pregnancy has increased significantly in recent years. The projected figure for 2007 is over 4,500, an increase of over 100% since the year 2000 when approximately 2,100 women presented at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. The HSE acknowledges that this has placed additional pressure on services and has resulted in women having to wait longer than planned for assessment by a consultant obstetrician.

My Department is advised that the HSE has recently approved 22 new midwife posts, 2 specialist nurse posts and 3 new consultant anaesthetist posts to relieve the current pressures and that it will be closely monitoring staffing levels at the maternity unit at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda relative to demand.