THE COST OF maternity-related claims increased by 80% between 2010 and 2014, according to a new report from the State Claims Agency (SCA).

The review found that the total expenditure on such claims rose from €32 million in 2010 to €58 million in 2014.

Some 75 clinical incidents were rated as “extreme in severity” last year, though the SCA said not all were harmful or avoidable.

The most common claims related to perineal tear (43), shoulder dystocia (38), stillbirth (38), unexpected neonatal death (25) and cerebral irritability/neonatal seizure (22).

Some 121 claims were also made following unnecessary surgery or procedures.

Separately, the cost of cerebral palsy claims amounted to €47 million in 2014, a 77% increase over the same five-year period.

The rise, according to the SCA, was “primarily due to lump sums replacing certain previous periodic payment orders (PPOs) and to the cumulative effect of the greater use of PPOs over time”.

‘Acute trauma’

The SCA said that Ireland’s national incident rates are “not dissimilar to international figures where comparisons are available”, adding that high reporting rates reflect “a culture of strong patient safety”.

“The agency is acutely conscious that behind the statistics contained in this report are tragic events that have resulted in suffering and acute trauma for expectant mothers, their babies and their families,” Ciarán Breen, SCA director, added.

The Department of Health today welcomed the review, saying it provides “important baseline data against which future performance may be measured”.

“The report contains the type of analysis that will add to our patient safety information and intelligence. It will assist us to identify patterns and trends in the occurrence of healthcare incidents,” Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer, said.

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