Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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236. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 216 of 25 January 2017, the reason the anomaly scan cannot be introduced as a matter of urgency at Cavan General Hospital in view of the fact all equipment is in place; the efforts being made to hire the relevant staff to ensure this scan will be offered on site at Cavan General Hospital; if a meeting with him can be arranged urgently on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4962/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the provision of routine foetal anomaly scanning for all pregnant women has been a key target for Cavan General Hospital; however despite every effort having been made, the hospital has not been successful to date in recruiting the necessary specialists required to provide a routine 20 week anomaly scanning service.

The Deputy will be aware that the National Maternity Strategy is clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services. The Strategy will be implemented on a phased basis over the coming years, and this work will be led by the HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme. In this regard, the newly-appointed Programme Director has advised that clinical guidance on routine 20 week anomaly scans will be developed as a priority.

In the interim, the Programme will continue to work with the six hospital groups to assist in increasing access to anomaly scans for those units with limited availability. It is expected that the establishment of maternity networks across hospital groups will assist in developing a sustainable service model that ensures that all women within each hospital group can access anomaly scans.

As Minister for Health, I am always open to meeting individuals and organisations but, due to the busy nature of Oireachtas and Government business, it is not always possible but such requests can be made through my Private Office.