Mallow maternity unit
The Minister will review obstetric bed organisation and locations across Cork over the coming months before deciding whether Mallow needs a maternity unit. O’Keeffe pressed for urgency, citing travel distances and the long delay; the Minister agreed to expedite a decision, while undertaking to provide national figures on larger maternity units.
asked the Minister for Health his proposals for the building of a new maternity unit at Mallow, County Cork.
Comment on this
It is my intention to have a detailed review carried out of the organisation and location of obstetric beds in the entire Cork area. The question of the provision of a maternity unit at Mallow will be considered in this wider context.
Comment on this
Is the Minister of State aware of the urgency and that this situation in Mallow has been ongoing for a number of years and that no decision has been taken? It has been kicked around from one side of the Department to the other. Is the Minister of State aware of the large catchment area there and the distance mothers must travel to the maternity hospitals in Cork for facilities?
Comment on this
Yes, it has been kicking around for some time. In May 1977 the Southern Health Board submitted proposals to my Department for the establishment of a self-staffed maternity unit in Mallow. At the same time the health boards applied to Comhairle na nOspidéal, the body statutorily responsible for the approval of consultant posts, for the appointment of two consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists and one paediatrician in the Mallow hospital. In October 1977 Comhairle nainOspidéal informed the health board that they could not approve of these applications on the grounds that the potential number of beds in Mallow hospital for the catchment population would not justify a minimum scale maternity unit. The Deputy will be aware that in 1976 the comhairle laid down guidelines that the minimum size consultant-staffed maternity unit should have from 1,500 to 2,000 births each year.
Comment on this
Will the Minister of State assure the House that he will expedite a decision on this situation as quickly as possible as far as Mallow is concerned?
Comment on this
Yes, As I said, there will be a review in the overall Cork context, not necessarily in the Mallow context, and when that is done we will be able to make a decision as to what maternity accommodation is required in the Cork area and where it should be.
Comment on this
Could the Minister of State tell us how many maternity units in the country have 1,500 or more deliveries——
Comment on this
The Deputy knows that I have not got that information but if he wants it I will get it and give it to him.