The National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre is based in Cork University Maternity Hospital. The overall objective of the Centre is to collaborate with Irish maternity services to translate clinical audit data and epidemiological evidence into improved maternity care for families in Ireland.

Achievement of our mission is carried out using a range of research methodologies, including: prospective surveillance; Hospital In-Patient Enquiry (HIPE) data analysis; and systematic reviews. 

The specific roles of the Centre are: 

• To collaborate with government agencies to collate outcome data from maternity hospitals in Ireland.
• To evaluate and publish nationally representative perinatal mortality and severe maternal morbidity data on an annual basis.
• To contribute to the development of clinical protocols and guidelines based on analysis of data.
• To act as a resource for the Minister of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.