Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have some questions for Professor McAuliffe in relation to the smaller units. The master of the Rotunda, Dr. Sam Coulter Smith, made the point earlier that there is a need to put in place a referral pathway for decision making in the case of smaller maternity hospitals.

Dr. Ní Bhuinneain made the point that in the situation prior to reconfiguration there would be another specialist in the hospital, perhaps not another obstetrician but another specialist. I presume her recommendation is the second option, that the sign-off would be made by an obstetrician with one other specialist. Is that her view or does she believe there should be this pathway, as was referred to earlier this morning?

On the issue of suicide, Dr. Mary McCaffrey made the point that none of her colleagues for whom she spoke this morning had felt they were competent to deal with making a decision on termination on the grounds of suicidal intent. In these circumstances does Dr. Ní Bhuinneain believe it should be up to the perinatal psychiatrist to make the call in that regard or should the obstetricians have a direct role in making the decision?