Dr. Sam Coulter-Smith:

The discussion we have had is very interesting. The fact we are able to discuss this issue and the services put in place in the Rotunda and the Coombe for this vulnerable group of patients is important. The reason we could do this, as well as expanding our foetal medicine units and the many subspecialist services, is because we are voluntary hospitals. We have the ability to make decisions around the type of service we provide, as long as it is within budget. In recent years we have expanded areas, done things a little bit better, worked on some specialism, employed specialist midwives in particular areas and sent people off to train. These are the actions we can take as a voluntary hospital that a Health Service Executive hospital will find more difficult. Voluntary hospitals have the ability to expand services and deal with issues as they arise in a timely manner, whereas hospitals under other governance systems find it a little more difficult to do. That has been one of the success stories of volunteerism and an important message to be delivered today.