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06/10/2009
New Mums May Go Home Early
A public debate has opened-up over new cost-cutting measures proposed by a NI health trust.
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is planning to send new mothers home between six and 12 hours after giving birth in order to cut costs.
Although patients would only be sent home early if they had a normal delivery and there is no medical reason for mothers to be kept in hospital, there are some drawbacks in this issue.
Many health professionals argue that first time mothers need assistance with breast-feeding and parenting skills.
However, Liz Bannon, the Co-Director of Maternity and Women's Services at the Belfast Trust, considers that the proposal will actually increase the choices available to women.
"The decision about the length of stay will probably be made as the woman goes through her pregnancy, deciding what would suit her and her home environment, also her social environment issues like psychological and physical well being", she said.
Early release has already been implemented in Craigavon Area Hospital, where new mothers can decide whether to go home or to care for their new baby in the hospitals labour ward.
A spokeperson from the Belfast Trust said that is also planned to cut all staff overtime and ban the use of agency nurses as part of the drive for lower costs.
Overall, the NI Department of Health must find £700m efficiency savings over three years to meet Stormont spending targets, a target complicated by the five NI health trusts already facing a combined end-of-year deficit of £76m.
Alliance Party Health spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy, condemned the proposals as "scandalous".
She stated: "Hospitals cannot simply put mothers out of their bed a few hours after they have given birth. This could present a significant safety risk to mothers and babies."
Sinn Féin MLA and Vice Chair of the Stormont Health Committee, Michelle O'Neill, said: "Some women will be keen to go home as soon as possible after a straightforward birth.
"However many new mums feel they need support and assistance from midwives to help them cope with those first few hours or days to bond with their baby," she said, noting that NI is lagging behind other European countries in pre-natal and post-natal care.
"This proposal will further undermine these services," the MLA concluded.
(CL/BMcC)
The Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is planning to send new mothers home between six and 12 hours after giving birth in order to cut costs.
Although patients would only be sent home early if they had a normal delivery and there is no medical reason for mothers to be kept in hospital, there are some drawbacks in this issue.
Many health professionals argue that first time mothers need assistance with breast-feeding and parenting skills.
However, Liz Bannon, the Co-Director of Maternity and Women's Services at the Belfast Trust, considers that the proposal will actually increase the choices available to women.
"The decision about the length of stay will probably be made as the woman goes through her pregnancy, deciding what would suit her and her home environment, also her social environment issues like psychological and physical well being", she said.
Early release has already been implemented in Craigavon Area Hospital, where new mothers can decide whether to go home or to care for their new baby in the hospitals labour ward.
A spokeperson from the Belfast Trust said that is also planned to cut all staff overtime and ban the use of agency nurses as part of the drive for lower costs.
Overall, the NI Department of Health must find £700m efficiency savings over three years to meet Stormont spending targets, a target complicated by the five NI health trusts already facing a combined end-of-year deficit of £76m.
Alliance Party Health spokesperson, Kieran McCarthy, condemned the proposals as "scandalous".
She stated: "Hospitals cannot simply put mothers out of their bed a few hours after they have given birth. This could present a significant safety risk to mothers and babies."
Sinn Féin MLA and Vice Chair of the Stormont Health Committee, Michelle O'Neill, said: "Some women will be keen to go home as soon as possible after a straightforward birth.
"However many new mums feel they need support and assistance from midwives to help them cope with those first few hours or days to bond with their baby," she said, noting that NI is lagging behind other European countries in pre-natal and post-natal care.
"This proposal will further undermine these services," the MLA concluded.
(CL/BMcC)
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