‘A victory for women’s health’ – Sinn Féin maternity services motion is backed by Dáil

» John Hedges

An Phoblacht Editor

‘It is now up to the Government to stand by their commitment made here tonight’ – Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly

A MAJOR VICTORY for women’s health has been claimed by Sinn Féin as its maternity services motion was backed by the Dáil.

The motion contains a commitment to ensure that the new National Maternity Hospital is built on the St Vincent’s Hospital campus as quickly as possible, remains entirely within public ownership, and has legally guaranteed independence from all non-medical influence in its clinical operations within the laws of the state.

The motion was passed late on Wednesday night after the Fine Gael/Independent Government withdrew a planned amendment.

Health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly TD said:

“Crucially, we have received a commitment that the new National Maternity Hospital will be built, will remain entirely in public ownership, and will have legally guaranteed independence from non-medical influence.”

The Fingal deputy said the Sinn Féin motion “comprehensive motion also contained a wealth of proposals for improvements to our maternity services including universal access to foetal anomaly screening”.

The Sinn Féin motion additionally incorporated backing for the full implementation of the National Maternity Strategy and a commitment to work with nursing and medical unions in the recruitment and retention of medical staff so that all maternity hospitals meet the ‘birthrate plus’ standard for midwifery staffing, as well as international standards for consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists.

Deputy O’Reilly said:

“It is now up to the Government to stand by their commitment made here tonight and I will be following up with the Health Minister to ensue implementation of these initiatives in the coming days.”

● Read also: Louise O’Reilly interview – ‘I want to be the Health Minister with an all-Ireland NHS’