AQW 17529/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 04/11/2024
Answered On Date: 19/11/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health why home births are not signposted as part of the information on location of maternity services in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust website.

Answer:

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust have advised that in order to access Maternity and Neonatal website references to Home Birth - use search option at top of website page (enter your search here) - key word - Home Birth.

1) Under Labour and Birth- see link https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/services/maternity/pregnancy-journey/labour-and-birth/ - scroll down to Home Birth heading.

2) Under CoMC (Continuity of Carer) - see link https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/services/maternity/pregnancy-journey/continuity-of-midwifery-carer/ scroll down to 3rd paragraph - 'The Continuity of Midwifery Carer Team provide 24/7 availability for labour and birth and support women in all birth choice settings including home birth provision'.

3) Care Opinion - Alice's Story - feedback February - https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/contact-us/compliments-and-complaints/care-opinion/care-opinion-4/ scroll down under the ' The Continuity of Midwifery Carer service' 3rd paragraph

4) Community Midwifery Service - see 'Their role' includes 2nd bullet point - https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/service/community-midwife-service/

5) RJMS - Hospital Recruitment - Why we work in Belfast - https://belfasttrust.hscni.net/working-for-us/where-you-could-work/new-royal-jubilee-maternity-services-recruitment-campaign/