AQW 17530/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 04/11/2024
Answered On Date: 12/11/2024
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health whether there are plans to enhance the role of the Mater Hospital as part of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust's maternity services.

Answer:

Professor Mary Renfrew’s report entitled 'Enabling Safe Quality Midwifery Services and Care in Northern Ireland' was published on 22 October 2024.

The report has outlined the need for alternatives to hospital-based care. Professor Renfrew further states that at least one community midwifery hub should be available in all HSC Trusts and that the sites of the free-standing midwifery-led units (which includes the Mater Hospital) should be developed and reconfigured as community midwifery hubs in a phased programme to ensure safe, quality care for all.

The Department of Health will be setting up an oversight board to consider the recommendations outlined in the report.

The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust’s Midwifery team will work under the strategic direction of the oversight board going forward in order to deliver against any of the agreed actions.