Written answers
Wednesday, 22 January 2025
Department of Health
Coroners Service
Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
1541. To ask the Minister for Health if the Government provides postmortem services for babies who have died just before birth or after they have been born; if so, the location; and if he will make these services available to citizens in the north of Ireland. [1323/25]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
On the matter of the location and management of postmortem services, as the Health Service Executive's National Women and Infants Health Programme leads on the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
I am committed to continuing close and productive cooperation with Northern Ireland in relation to health services. My Department is working with partners in Northern Ireland to improve cooperation in health and social care where there are clear benefits for both jurisdictions and for patients across the island, including within the context of the North South Ministerial Council Health and Food Safety Work Programme.
Perinatal and paediatric pathology services are a challenging and complex area, currently facing recruitment challenges on a global scale. I have asked the HSE to work on the design of perinatal and paediatric pathology services capable of serving both jurisdictions in collaboration with partners in Northern Ireland so that a common agreement can be reached on what is needed.
No comments