In order to ensure a co-ordinated and focused approach to the work required to ensure that these policies were implemented and overseen at national level in a structured and programmatic manner, the HSE, with the support of the Department of Health, created the National Women and Infants Health Programme. In driving these policies, the Programme is responsible for the enhancement of maternity services, benign gynaecology services and neonatal care. This work entails working closely and collaboratively with colleagues across operations and strategic planning in both acute and community care settings. 

Smoking cessation

Providing support to women who smoke before, during, and after pregnancy is an important aspect regarding the Health and Wellbeing of women, supporting the implementation of the Healthy Ireland Framework (2013-2025). Within 2018, the Programme worked with the HSE Health and Wellbeing Division with a view to designing and introducing a pilot smoking cessation initiative in one of the Maternity Networks in 2019. It is anticipated that the pilot will be driven by one whole time equivalent clinical midwife specialist as funded by the Programme. The initiative will aim to identify and refer women who smoke at the time of their booking visit to the specialist midwife for appropriate care and follow up. It is being planned that this initiative will be launched during the course of 2019.