COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, April 14, 2014

MOTION NO. 20

MOTION: Councillor C. King

That this Council calls on the Minister to introduce as a matter of priority Mandatory Oxygen Saturation screening with the use of Pulse Oximeters in every Maternity Hospital in the State as part of the general postnatal assessment of babies. These Pulse Oximeters already exist in all Maternity Hospitals for use in difficult Births. Only seven of the twenty Maternity Hospitals in this State use this system, consequently over half of babies born with a heart defect are discharged without a diagnosis and relevant care. This has resulted in death and lifelong health problems which could have been improved with early diagnosis with the use of this simple and quick test.

REPORT: 

If the motion is passed, the terms of the motion will be conveyed to the Minister for Health.