The mothers of two babies who died in the maternity unit at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise have been named as members of the steering group set up to advise on the development of a national maternity strategy.
Shauna Keyes, whose baby Joshua Keyes-Cornally died at the unit in 2009, is one of 28 members of the steering group announced by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar.
So too is Róisín Molloy, whose son Mark died in the hospital shortly after his birth there in January 2012.
Mr Varadkar said a number of high-profile cases in recent years had given rise to public concern about the safety and quality of maternity services.
“In Ireland, we have very good maternity care, which is reflected in the fact that perinatal and maternal mortality rates are on a par with our international peers.
“Nonetheless, a number of high-profile cases in recent years have given rise to public concern about the safety and quality of maternity services,” he said.
The maternity strategy is being developed in response to safety concerns highlighted by the death of Savita Halappanavar at Galway University Hospital in 2012, as well as other serious obstetric incidents.
Mr Varadkar said the strategy would put the needs of mothers, babies and families at its centre.
“The focus will be on maximising patient safety, quality of care, clinical outcomes, as well as the desirability of greater patient choice, the move towards more services in the community and a renewed focus on prevention and wellbeing,” he said.
Other high-profile members of the review group include Prof Michael Turner, UCD professor of obstetrics at the Coombe hospital; Prof Cecily Begley, chair of nursing and midwifery at TCD; Mary Brosnan, director of midwifery at the National Maternity Hospital; Prof Declan Devane, professor of midwifery at NUI Galway; Dr Sharon Sheehan, master of the Coombe hospital; and Dr Meabh Ní Bhuinneain, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Mayo General.