Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

This may not be the most important issue facing the country today, but it is an issue that impacts on a number of fathers who wish to attend scans or other antenatal appointments or at the labour ward during delivery with their wives. I attended the birth of my two children and Deputy Mattie McGrath has informed me he attended the births of his eight children. Attendance at the birth of children is much more in vogue now than when I was born.

I wish to pay tribute to all the staff in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, which is the hospital of choice for parents in my constituency of Meath East. The staff there do tremendous work and there is a massive throughput of patients through the hospital. I have spoken about the maternity unit there on previous occasions here. A number of fathers and mothers are upset that currently they cannot attend together the various appointments required during pregnancy. I understand that fathers are not being admitted during scans or for antenatal appointments and that they are only admitted for part of the labour. This issue was raised with me by constituents and has been confirmed to be the case. I understand there can be issues of hygiene and am aware there was an issue in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital recently with regard to Clostridium difficile. However, the HSE should be able to work out arrangements whereby a father can attend all appointments and admittances of the mother of his child. The advice to us regarded this as important and I found it an important experience.

I ask the HSE to reconsider this issue bearing in mind the hygiene requirements and the need to prevent the spread of disease. It should come to some compromise arrangements in this regard.

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