Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1202. To ask the Minister for Health the person or body with responsibility for developing national clinical obstetric ultrasound guidelines as a whole entity; and the status of the progress of those guidelines [20151/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The National Clinical Effectiveness Committee (NCEC) was established as part of the Patient Safety First Initiative. NCEC’s mission is to provide a framework for national endorsement of clinical guidelines and audit to optimise patient and service user care. The aim of the suite of National Clinical Guidelines is to provide guidance and standards for improving the quality, safety and cost-effectiveness of healthcare in Ireland.

Clinical guidelines are systematically developed statements, based on a thorough evaluation of the evidence, to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances, across the entire clinical spectrum.  Clinical guidelines endorsed by the Minister are titled ‘National Clinical Guidelines’.

The implementation of these National Clinical Guidelines supports the provision of evidence-based and consistent care across Irish healthcare services. However, it is recognised that the NCEC, and the health system as a whole, is able to effectively implement and monitor only a small number of National Clinical Guidelines each year.  In that context it should be noted that not all clinical guidelines are submitted for national endorsement and Guideline Development Groups continue to develop clinical guidelines in response to the needs of their own organisations.

I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly with the specific information requested in relation to obstetric ultrasound guidelines, as soon as possible.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1203. To ask the Minister for Health the person or body with responsibility for the development of a national check list for the anomaly scan; if checking placental cord insertion will be included in the checklist for the anomaly scan; if there is 100% universal access to the scan nationally per individual unit; the breakdown to the scan by unit on access level and provision, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20152/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.