National Maternity Strategy too important to be stalled
Labour Party Health Spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has said that the National Maternity Spokesperson must be prioritised by Government.
This comes as reports in today’s Irish Times state that the funding has been halted for elements of the National Maternity Strategy.
Deputy Kelly said:
“The National Maternity Strategy is an extremely important roadmap as to how we can improve maternity services across Ireland.
“With long-term health projects under severe pressure thanks to the overspend in the National Children’s Hospital, it is no surprise that the strategy is under-resourced.
“The news that the toll out of this strategy is stalling is extremely disappointing for medical practitioners and advocates for better maternity services.
“In our Alternative Budget, the Labour Party has acknowledged that the full recommendations of the National Maternity Strategy still have not been implemented. Women must be able to see the most appropriate professional health worker, based on their need.
“Labour’s proposals call for the recruitment of an additional 100 midwives this year costing €5.2m and a further 10 consultant obstetricians costing €1.2m, and continue this expansion programme over five years.”