Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Minister. I appreciate what he has stated. The stipulation of 30 minutes would really restrict services in County Clare because of the distance involved, which would limit the service to very small pockets of the county from which women would be able to get to UMHL within that timeframe. It is important to mention that to the Minister. There is a major concern that there would be a two-tier system within maternity healthcare.

The HSE recommendation to limit homebirths to women who live 30 minutes from a maternity hospital will restrict the options for women and families in County Clare, in particular for those in rural parts of the county. It is also contrary to the national maternity strategy's priority to ensure "women have access to safe, high quality, nationally consistent, woman-centred maternity care". It is important to note that this recommendation was developed with no input form midwives, clinicians, or women's health advocates. I firmly agree with the midwives association's call for a reconsideration of this policy by engaging all stakeholders. Will that be included in the review? Women were second-class citizens in this State for long enough. We should not be further restricted. Instead, we should be supported in making our own informed choices about our maternity care.

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