Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 29: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that additional staff, particularly midwives, are allocated to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda as a matter of urgency, following a report into the circumstances of the death of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16232/08]

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

The death last year in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda of the woman concerned and her infant son was a terrible tragedy. The recent publication of a report on the case by a Review Team commissioned by the Health Service Executive set out the failures, both systemic and diagnostic, which led to the fatalities.

The staffing levels at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital clearly relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act, 2004. However, I am advised that a total complement of 66 whole time equivalent midwives were employed in the Hospital before the sanction of 22 new midwives by the HSE. Eighteen new midwives have been appointed to date at the Hospital, and a further four posts are in the process of being filled. The total complement of midwives is now 88, giving a significant reduction in the midwife/patient ratio at the Hospital. A clinical facilitator has been appointed to support nursing and midwifery practice.

In addition to the upgrading of the midwifery resource, lead clinicians in Obstetrics and Paediatrics have been appointed, as have three additional consultant anaesthetists. There has also been a significant reduction in both the number of locums appointed and their duration of service.

Further developments in staffing at the maternity services unit will include the appointment of a Consultant Obstetrician. A workforce planning exercise with the Director of the National Hospitals Office in 2007 identified the need for additional staff within all disciplines, including additional midwives and neonatal nurses. The HSE anticipate that the provision of these new posts under the Transformation Programme for the North East will be prioritised within the immediate future. The Executive will continue to monitor staffing levels within the maternity services unit at the Hospital relative to demand.