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AIMS Ireland attended a meeting with Mary Harney, minister for Health on Friday 14th December. The issues discussed at this meeting concerned 4 main issues.
1. The publication of Annual Clinical Reports and Maternity Hospital Statistics. In order to capture nationally and uniformly the rates of intervention and outcomes across all hospitals. We feel this is vital, in order for women to make informed choices when choosing a hospital and in order to allow monitoring of hospital procedures. This allows easy comparison with international best practice and would also pick up on serious deviations from the norm, as with the Dr. Michael Neary case.
2. The creation of National Guidelines for Clinical Practice in Maternity Care. These guidelines need to reflect international best practice such as that published by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the World Health Organisation. It is unacceptable for practices in Irish Maternity Hospitals to deviate for that which is regard as best international best practice.
3. A National Independent Consultative / Auditing Body to oversee the writing and implementation f the National Guidelines. This body would monitor and compare stats from all hospitals and investigate discrepancies in these figures. They would then take appropriate action, where necessary. They would also deal with complaints from consumers and health professionals in a clear, structured and independent manner. It is vital that this body would have representation from all stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and consumers
4. Changing the Health Amendment Act 1991 to allow women who choose Midwifery Led care to access private beds on an equal footing to those who choose Obstetrician Led care on a private basis. Currently legalisation on this issue prevents women from choosing the health care provider which is the most appropriate care giver to the majority of pregnant women, according to the World Health Organisation.
If you agree with the above Maternity Care Monitoring Structures, please write to the Minister for Health Ms. Mary Harney, or your local representative, to ask for these changes to be implemented.
If you want more information about AIMS Ireland, please visit http://www.aimsireland.comHappy Christmas Everyone!!
Breda Kerans
AIMS Ireland
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