Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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669. To ask the Minister for Health the most recent progress made concerning the planned reinstatement of gynaecology and antenatal services at Dungloe Community Hospital, County Donegal; when it is anticipated that clinics will reopen for new referrals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26957/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department has made enquiries with the HSE and Saolta University Healthcare Group. We are advised that the newly appointed Director of Midwifery in Letterkenny will, in their new role, develop the ante-natal clinics in Dungloe, Co. Donegal as a midwifery led service.

The provision of such a clinic is in keeping with the objectives of the Maternity Strategy, which identifies the need for community maternity services to be developed. Similar clinics are already running well in Co. Galway (Gort, Athenry and Oughterard). Guidelines and policies currently in place in Galway will be shared with Letterkenny to progress this initiative.

It is envisaged that this new service will meet the care needs of the population in the Dungloe area. In relation to the particular queries raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.