Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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75. To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that a full third party investigation is carried out in relation to the case of an independent midwife (details supplied) to ensure that due diligence was executed in this case; if necessary corrective actions will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39416/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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This matter is sub-judice and I am therefore restricted in the response I can give to your question.

My role as Minister for health primarily relates to national policy decisions, legislation, implementing the programme for government and securing an overall budget for health and accounting for it to the Oireachtas. I am in no way personally involved in decisions about individual patients, members of staff or contractors. I have had no role in this matter which is one for the HSE and it would be inappropriate for me to intervene regardless of political pressure or lobbying. I hope you can understand and respect why that is.

With regard to this case, I understand from the HSE that her indemnity has been suspended temporarily due to specific and serious concerns expressed by other clinical staff about patient safety. When the HSE suspends an individual as precautionary measure subject to a review/investigation, it does not do so lightly. An overall competence and performance review is planned. I hope this will be done as expediently as possible.

I have been informed by the HSE that there were 12 mothers-to-be, contracted for home births with Ms Canning at the time of her suspension. Three mothers have delivered of their babies. The remaining mothers-to-be are awaiting delivery of their babies. Of the remaining mothers, some have accepted the services of the SECM, some are still deciding, some have decided to access private maternity services and some have accessed the maternity hospitals for confinement. I would suggest that if any of the remaining mothers-to-be known to Ms Canning and contracted to the HSE, have any concerns, that they should contact their designated midwife officer.

On the broader issue, pregnancy is not a disease but a physiological condition and there is no reason why women with a normal pregnancy, should not have their baby delivered at home by a community midwife or in a midwife-led unit. It should be a mother’s choice within safe guidelines. This will form part of the general review of maternity services being carried out over the course of the next twelve months.