‘At least’ 18 months before full access to anomaly scanning

However, it will be at least 18 months before all the required staff are in place and complete access to anomaly scanning is provided, Mr Killian McGrane, National Programme Director, HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme, told the Committee. <br />Confirmation of the new posts followed approval for funding in 2018, with €4.55 million in developmental funding allocated to address actions contained in Creating a Better Future Together — National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026.<br />Mr McGrane told the Committee that the funding was being prioritised to address anomaly scanning, the model of care, and quality and safety. <br />“The programme acknowledges that there will be challenges with recruitment, but implementing the model of care will provide midwives with greater choice about how they can best practice their profession,” Mr McGrane said. <br />The programme has provided each maternity network with funding to support a quality and safety manager for women and infants, added Mr McGrane. <br />Posts will be created within each network for a women and infants Serious Incident Management Forum. <br />“This Forum will ensure that all incidents for all maternity hospitals/units within the network are reviewed by a multidisciplinary (midwives, obstetricians, neonatologists, anaesthetists and risk management) team. This level of scrutiny and support will ensure units do not review incidents in isolation,” advised Mr McGrane.