Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Maternity care in Ireland has been in a state of crisis for many years. Underfunding has led to a severe shortage of staff in hospitals, thus resulting in us lagging behind international standards. Maternity services lack both midwives and obstetricians. Ireland has the lowest number of consultant obstetricians per 100,000 women in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD. There are 597 births per consultant obstetrician per annum in Ireland, compared to 268 per consultant in Scotland. Midwives play a pivotal role in the health system, but an increased workload, stress and dissatisfaction with clinical practice have resulted in many midwives leaving for other areas of nursing such as public health and education. For this reason, among several others, we must urgently address the environment in which midwives work to ensure we can retain adequate numbers.

In addition to the serious problems pertaining to capacity, it is a damning indictment of the Government that most of the 19 maternity units do not offer foetal anomaly screening and that perinatal psychiatrists and other specialists are few and far between. There is no doubt that a combination of these serious failings have led to tragedies that include deaths in health care settings across the State. Since 2012, four hospitals in Portlaoise, Galway, Sligo and Cavan have been investigated following deaths, including neonatal deaths. The Government is failing the women and children of Ireland. Expectant mothers due to give birth in maternity hospital settings must be reassured that the care provided is of the highest standard.

To add to the colossal difficulties in maternity hospitals, the recent revelation of plans to place the new National Maternity Hospital in the ownership of the Sisters of Charity is simply mindboggling. Sinn Féin has welcomed the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital to the St. Vincent’s University Hospital campus. The current hospital on Holles Street is not fit for purpose. However, the decision to give ownership of the new National Maternity Hospital to the Sisters of Charity is simply unbelievable. In this day and age there should be absolutely no connection between the provision of health care services and religious orders. A particular religious ethos should have no influence on clinical decisions. This debacle must be resolved as a matter of urgency. We must ensure the new hospital on the St. Vincent’s University Hospital campus will remain entirely within public ownership and have legally guaranteed independence from all non-medical influence in its clinical operations within the laws of the State.

In addition, as promised in A Programme for a Partnership Government, there must be full and proper implementation of the national maternity strategy. Foetal anomaly screening, with the necessary staff and equipment, must be provided in every maternity hospital. I think of the case of baby Conor Whelan and his parents, Siobhán and Andrew, from Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan. Their loss and campaigning must receive a positive response. The Birthrate Plus standard for midwifery staffing must be met, in addition to the recruitment of consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists. Patients should have access to an independent advocacy service and priority should be given to care for children with life-limiting conditions, as was recommended in the report on end-of-life and palliative care in Ireland by the Joint Committee on Health and Children in 2014.

The impetus behind these matters is, quite simply, a matter of life and death. For far too long the State has failed women and children, particularly those who have lost their sons or daughters as a result of the Government’s failure to provide the necessary care. The acceptance and implementation of all that is contained in the motion have the potential to improve greatly the standard of maternity care. I ask all Members to support it.

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