Maternity and infant health are at the heart of a thriving society. For expectant parents, particularly expectant mothers, access to high-quality healthcare is a fundamental concern. Over the past year, Ireland has taken significant strides towards improving maternity and infant care, implementing new measures and upgrading services to better support families.
The 2022 National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) Annual Report offers invaluable insights into these advancements. This blog will explore key highlights, focusing on the improvements in maternity services, neonatal care, and related health programmes, and what they mean for families across the country.
A Year of Progress in Maternity Care
Maternity services in Ireland saw increased investment and reform throughout 2022. Key developments included the introduction of new care pathways, improved access to specialised services, and enhanced staffing levels.
Supporting Mothers Through New Care Pathways
- Supported Care Pathway: Designed for women identified as low-risk, this pathway prioritises a community-based midwifery service. By the end of 2022, all 19 maternity units had dedicated advanced midwifery practitioners supporting this model. This represents a significant step towards more personalised, community-integrated care.
- Postnatal Hubs: Five postnatal hubs were approved for funding in 2022, including locations in Cork, Kilkenny, and Kerry. These hubs aim to provide enhanced postnatal support, including breastfeeding guidance, physiotherapy, and mental health services, closer to families’ homes.
Maternal Mental Health
Mental health challenges in pregnancy and the postnatal phase often go unnoticed. To address this, Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Teams were expanded across Ireland’s maternity networks in 2022. These teams, led by consultant perinatal psychiatrists, offer much-needed support to mothers dealing with perinatal mental health concerns, ensuring more holistic care.
Better Workforce Planning
Recruitment of an additional 175 healthcare professionals marked a focus on strengthening Ireland’s maternity workforce. This included 54 midwives and 10 consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists. This substantial workforce expansion ensures that urgent needs in maternity care are addressed efficiently and effectively.
Advances in Neonatal Care
The care of newborns requires a meticulous approach, and 2022 marked progress in Ireland’s neonatal healthcare services.
Neonatal Resuscitation Training
A unified training programme was rolled out across 19 maternity services, ensuring all relevant staff were trained on the latest neonatal resuscitation techniques. This upskilling initiative increases the capability of healthcare professionals to respond appropriately in critical moments. Nearly 2,000 staff members have now completed advanced provider training.
National Neonatal Guidelines
Work commenced on developing 12 National Neonatal Practice Guidelines, which aim to standardise care and ensure consistent, evidence-based practices across Ireland’s neonatal services. These guidelines will offer clarity and uniformity to healthcare providers and improve outcomes for newborns and their families.
Innovations in Gynaecology and Women’s Health
Notable progress was also made in addressing women’s broader health needs, with a focus on specific concerns such as menopause, endometriosis, and fertility challenges.
Endometriosis Framework
Endometriosis impacts 1 in 10 women, and its management has historically been inconsistent. The launch of the National Framework for Endometriosis Care in 2022 introduced a multi-disciplinary care model. This framework includes the development of five regional endometriosis hubs and two supra-regional centres of excellence for complex cases.
Fertility Services Expansion
Phase One of the Model of Care for Fertility Services established five operational regional fertility hubs by the end of 2022, facilitating more efficient access to reproductive healthcare. This also sets the foundation for publicly funded IVF services in 2023.
Menopause Clinics
Specialist complex menopause clinics grew to five in 2022, with one clinic opened in every maternity network. These clinics target women who require advanced care for menopause-related challenges, complementing the services already available in community settings.
Patient-Centred Innovations
2022 also saw the introduction of initiatives explicitly focused on improving patient experience and ensuring that healthcare remains person-centred.
National Maternity Bereavement Experience Survey
For families who experience pregnancy loss, compassionate care is vital. Ireland’s first National Maternity Bereavement Experience Survey gathered crucial feedback from bereaved mothers and their partners to inform improvements in maternity services. The results, expected in 2023, will guide the enhancement of bereavement care standards.
Compassionate Bereavement Standards
Revised national guidelines on bereavement care following pregnancy loss and perinatal death were finalised and published. These guidelines offer healthcare professionals an updated framework for providing empathetic and standardised care during one of the most challenging experiences for families.
Enhanced Accessibility to Antenatal Education
To better prepare mothers and families for childbirth and parenting, antenatal education programmes were standardised and updated. Feedback from virtual classes held during the pandemic highlighted their success, paving the way for broader access to these resources even post-COVID.
What Does This Mean for Families in Ireland?
The improvements in maternity and infant healthcare signify a commendable commitment to providing holistic, accessible, and empathetic care. Whether an expectant mother seeks mental health support, a comfortable postpartum recovery, or reliable neonatal care for her newborn, these reforms enhance safety and quality.
However, it is also essential to acknowledge that not every birth story aligns with these high standards of care. Birth injuries, delays in medical responses, or mismanaged care can cause emotional and physical hardship for families. If you or someone you know has experienced a birth injury due to potential medical negligence, reaching out for expert legal advice can be an essential step in seeking justice and support. Trusted resources like HOMS Assist provide guidance for families to understand their rights.
Supporting Future Generations
The advancements in maternity, neonatal, and women’s health in Ireland showcase a robust strategy to enhance healthcare quality across the nation. Parents-to-be currently navigating their maternity journeys can take solace in the country’s ongoing efforts to build safer experiences for families.
If you have concerns or questions about your care during pregnancy or childbirth, contact healthcare professionals for advice—and explore resources that support your rights when needed.
