AQW 6063/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 09/02/2024
Answered On Date: 22/02/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail the timescale for bringing forward a regional strategy for maternity services.

Answer:

In light of several reports concerning the safety of maternity services, both locally and nationally, my Department established a Maternity and Neonatal Services Safety Oversight Group to receive assurance on the safety of maternity and neonatal services for the population of Northern Ireland.

A broad programme of work is ongoing with an immediate focus on governance and safety issues highlighted across maternity and neonatal services. Collectively, this work will be fundamental to improving maternity services and improving outcomes for mothers, babies and their families in Northern Ireland and will help inform the future strategic direction for maternity and neonatal services and the need for a new maternity strategy.