The key objectives and benefits of the programme are based on access, quality and value as with other National Clinical Programmes. These include:

Quality

• To maintain the low national maternal and perinatal mortality rates.
• Stop the rate of increase of caesarean sections in first time mothers.
• To develop and disseminate national guidelines.

Access

• Increase the number of patients attending for antenatal care for early pregnancy.
• To improve choice by developing and delivering new models of maternity care.

Value

• To reduce the number and cost of medical negligence cases in obstetrics.
• To reduce the medication costs in obstetrics and gynaecology.