The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, today welcomes the publication of the revised Implementation Plan for the National Maternity Strategy, covering the remaining period of the Strategy’s lifetime from 2021 to 2026.
The revised Plan sets out all remaining activity in relation to the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026, providing definitive timelines for each action and mapping out the Strategy’s full implementation within the remaining timeframe of the Strategy’s lifetime.
Minister Donnelly said: “Women’s healthcare is a huge priority for me and for this government. Today’s publication of the revised Implementation Plan for the National Maternity Strategy, following a review of key actions and delivery timelines, will build on the significant progress already made to date in the development and improvement of maternity services for women, babies and families.”
Funding of the National Maternity Strategy includes €8.66m allocated to the National Maternity Strategy for 2022, which builds on the impetus provided by the significant investment of €7.3m allocated in 2021. Since the launch of the Strategy, significant progress has been made in the development and improvement of maternity services, however delays in implementation in some parts of the Plan have occurred. On foot of a recommendation from HIQA, the National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) undertook a revision of the original Implementation Plan. The revised Plan is now complete, it covers the remaining period of the Strategy’s lifetime and includes the status of all actions required for full implementation.
The HSE’s lead midwife, Ms Angela Dunne, has today welcomed the publication of the revised Plan. Commenting, Ms Dunne said: “Working with our Directors of Midwifery and colleagues around the country, we have seen real progress in implementing the National Maternity Strategy and in particular the new Model of Care. With all 19 maternity services now offering the supported care pathway and 24% of women booking on this pathway, choice is now being offered to women all around the country. With the additional investment in maternity services in both 2021 and 2022, we can continue this journey with a stronger focus now on the postnatal phase.”
Clinical Director of the National Women and Infants Health Programme, Dr Peter McKenna, said: “The publication today of the revised Implementation Plan for the National Maternity Strategy is a very positive development. It demonstrates the ongoing focus and commitment to the delivery of the Strategy, and the prioritisation of women’s health by the Minister, underpinned by the significant funding provided in Budget 2021 and 2022. The combination of funding and a sharp focus will enable us to accelerate progress in this critically important area.”
Minister Donnelly added: “I have again this year prioritised significant investment in the implementation of the National Maternity Strategy, with additional funding of almost €9m announced in Budget 2022, to ensure continued implementation of the Strategy into 2022 and beyond. As Minister, in line with the commitments made in the Programme for Government to improve women’s health outcomes, I want to ensure the ongoing development of safe, high quality, standardised maternity services which support better health outcomes for women. I believe that the revised Plan, which includes the status and timeline of all actions required for full implementation of the Strategy, will be a key enabler in achieving this. I wish the Programme well in their implementation.”
ENDS //