The guidance document for the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 has been published on the Department of Health website today.
An independent committee of experts was set up in September of last year, to develop the document for health professionals and assist them in operating the Act when providing care to pregnant women with life-threatening conditions.
The document has been prepared by the Department of Health in collaboration with a multidisciplinary committee of experts in medicine, nursing and midwifery, and law.
The Committee included nominees from relevant professional bodies including the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, the Irish College of General Practitioners, and the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland and the Health Service Executive.
The steps outlined are not clinical guidelines, but include identifying referral pathways to fulfil the requirement of the Act.