Dr. Peter McKenna:

I will address the insurance issue first. The State carries the insurance. Individual insurance tends not to be a problem currently. It was an issue until the State Claims Agency took over in 2002. As the obstetrics services have attracted much adverse publicity people do not wish to be associated with that and it can be a barrier. Some practitioners, either midwifery or medical, have found themselves in the spotlight and not in a way they would want to be. That is very negative. The HSE is aware of some colleagues who have attracted attention and it has made a very negative impact on their lives, probably unjustifiably.

In that regard, it can be very difficult to attract some people in and keep them in because of the stress. Criminalisation is something I have heard referred to, but I am unaware of any instance where it has followed through into action. I could be wrong and perhaps it has happened and I have not heard about it, but I think it is more of a theoretical issue than a practical day to day problem.