NCT Watch

In response to a written question to the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland regarding Northern Ireland’s caesarean section rates, Michael McGimpsey, the Health Minister has revealed that 28 per cent of deliveries in Northern Ireland are by caesarean section, a rate 13 per cent higher than the optimum rate of 15 per cent recommended by the WHO. When asked how the rates in Northern Ireland compared with rates across the rest of the UK the Health Minister responded that direct comparisons cannot be made due to the lack of directly comparable and up-to-date published data for England, Wales, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland. However, the latest figures show that caesarean section rates are approximately 23 per cent in England and 25 per cent in Scotland and Wales.

The Department of Health has revealed that the NICE antenatal care guideline, published in 2003, is being reviewed and a revised version is expected to be published in 2008.