HSSD reveals triplet births in 2012 cost department £600k
Monday 4th February 2013, 12:00PM GMT.
TWO triplet pregnancies last year cost Health and Social Services approximately £600,000, it has been revealed.
Giving an example of HSSD’s demand-led services – which contributed to its £2.5m. overspend – during the recent States debate, board member Elis Bebb, pictured, said ‘exceptional birth circumstances’ cost the department in the region of £250,000-£300,000 each.
The department said that due to the low numbers of triplet births – only three in the last five years – it could not comment on individual cases because of confidentiality issues.
As the island was not equipped to deal with premature triplets, mothers are obliged to spend up to 10 weeks in Southampton – between weeks 24-32/34 of their pregnancy. ‘We have neither the facilities, nor the medical or nursing staff to provide intensive care for three babies at the same time,’ HSSD said.
Triplets can be born on-island but only after the mother has crossed the 32/34-week threshold, after which HSSD believes it has the facilities and staff to cope.
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Well, being a small island his confidentiality remark is rendered useless. I am sure many of us know the three fabulous mothers of gorgeous local triplets.
As for overspend, multiple births are a natural part of life, therefore should be accounted for in the annual budget.
On a side note of health care expense, I believe when a Dr is needed to certify a death this should be a free service. Seriously, I know people who have waited throughout the night to get a loved one confirmed dead by a GP to save on the call out night charge.
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“The department said that due to the low numbers of triplet births… it could not comment on individual cases because of confidentiality issues.”
That narrows it down a bit doesn’t it! I know of one set of triplets.
What on earth is this proving other than yes there are unexpected scenarios that cost money but it is only likely to generate anger towards these families by some narrow minded people. Is this a political move to argue that IVF couples (of which I’m guessing all three were) are going to have to pay for additional care received?
I would love for a data protection lawyer to look into this as I’m sure this breaches multiple codes of practice!
Foolish statement and serves no purpose raising it.
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How on earth can it cost circa £100,000 per baby!!
Surely this is miscalculation by the reporter?
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I don’t quite understand why this is even being reported. Its not as if anybody can do anything about it.
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this scenario is exactly why it must be near on impossible to budget for a health service from year to year! There might not be any more multiple births for a couple of years, then there could be 3,4 even 5 in one year!! Likewise childhood cancers – there can be none for a couple of years – then all of a sudden four diagnosed in a space of four months (this is fact and actually has happened over here in the past). So quite frankly who the hell knows what ailments are going to affect our population year on year unless the crystal ball is working accurately of course :)
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I wonder if any of these multiple births were as a result of HMV?
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Deputy Bebb has rightly given an example of how HSSD costs on demand can esculate. What is wrong with that?
Of course, we all know on this tiny island that certain confidentialty matters are not so, but the Deputy was correct in maintaining same.
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I needed to thank you for this good read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I have you book marked to look at new things you post
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