Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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806. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the introduction of the anomaly scan at Cavan General Hospital; if it will be available full time at the hospital; the number of days per week it will be available at the hospital; the date for introduction of this service in the last quarter of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13189/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Maternity Strategy is very clear that all women must have equal access to standardised ultrasound services and, consequently, the issue of anomaly scanning is a priority issue for the newly established HSE National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP). An early priority for the Programme will be to develop clinical guidance regarding routine detailed scans at 20 weeks. In the meantime, the NWIHP will continue to work with the six Hospital Groups to assist in increasing access to anomaly scans for those units with limited availability.

One of the current challenges to increase access to anomaly scans is the recruitment of ultra-sonographers. In this context it is expected that the establishment of maternity networks across hospital groups will assist in developing a sustainable model that ensures that all women within each hospital group can access anomaly scans.

In relation to the particular query raised concerning Cavan General Hospital, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.