Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for giving us their time. Dr. Janice Walshe suggested that two consultant oncologists and one obstetrician would be her preferred option. Given that the Bill suggests one oncologist, I ask her to explain the basis of her opinion. When a woman presents to her primary care provider with concerns that her pregnancy is threatening her life, what is the preferred referral pathway? Perhaps Dr. Kevin Walsh can also respond on that issue. What if the woman was previously advised against becoming pregnant because of her condition?

How long should a referral take, and do the heads of the Bill include adequate safeguards so that a woman whose life is at risk can see a specialist and receive a decision quickly? Is time of the essence? In our earlier sessions we discussed the role of GPs in this process. Could the requirement to consult a GP act as an obstacle to women who require speedy interventions?

There was considerable discussion today about multidisciplinary approaches to women in crisis. I ask Ms Lawrence to outline the role played by midwives when assessing, alongside obstetricians, pregnant women in their care and deciding on appropriate referral pathways.