6 November 1997 Edition
Women's health under threat
by Laura Friel
CLOSURE of the Royal Maternity Hospital and Breast Clinic, and the removal of gynaecological and neonatology (care of the newborn) services away from West Belfast's Royal Group of Hospitals would have a drastic effect on the health of women and put vulnerable newborns at greater risk.
In a detailed submission to the NIO Minister for Health Tony Worthington, Gerry Adams described the decision of the previous British Tory Minister to transfer services away from the Royal to the City Tower Block Hospital as ``deeply flawed'' and ``flying in the face of all medical, clinical and economic argument.''
The West Belfast MP was responding to an invitation by the newly appointed British Minister to all those who were previously consulted by his predecessor to comment on the proposed closure. ``Closing the Royal Maternity ignores the needs and wishes of women by taking away their choice, control and accessibility to maternity care'', says Adams. ``Women from throughout the Six Counties chose to attend the Royal Maternity because of its regional specialist services.'' In 1996 the Royal Maternity delivered 3,000 babies, a thousand more than the criteria demands.
Premature babies and children born with congenital abnormalities, 350 in 1996, can receive immediate on-site care at the Royal Children's Hospital. A recently established joint liaison committee of community groups, trades unions and medical staff are opposing the proposed separation of maternity services away from the children's hospital. ``Women with high risk pregnancies can have their babies delivered in a hospital where the necessary investigations and treatment can be carried out immediately after birth,'' says the committee. ``Mothers want, need and have the right to be near their sick children.''
The campaign to keep the RMH open has attracted international support from leading medical experts. Professor Robert Usher, Director of Neonatology from McGill University in Canada, speaking against the proposed RMH closure emphasised the importance of Neonatology and Paediatrics remaining adjacent ``if sick newborns are to receive optimal care.'' Dr Barbara Golden, senior lecturer at Aberdeen University Hospital described the proposal as ``catastrophic''. To date ninety of the world's top child care experts have identified the separation of services as likely to lead to increased neonatal morality and lower standards of care for women and children.
CLOSURE of the Royal Maternity Hospital and Breast Clinic, and the removal of gynaecological and neonatology (care of the newborn) services away from West Belfast's Royal Group of Hospitals would have a drastic effect on the health of women and put vulnerable newborns at greater risk.
In a detailed submission to the NIO Minister for Health Tony Worthington, Gerry Adams described the decision of the previous British Tory Minister to transfer services away from the Royal to the City Tower Block Hospital as ``deeply flawed'' and ``flying in the face of all medical, clinical and economic argument.''
The West Belfast MP was responding to an invitation by the newly appointed British Minister to all those who were previously consulted by his predecessor to comment on the proposed closure. ``Closing the Royal Maternity ignores the needs and wishes of women by taking away their choice, control and accessibility to maternity care'', says Adams. ``Women from throughout the Six Counties chose to attend the Royal Maternity because of its regional specialist services.'' In 1996 the Royal Maternity delivered 3,000 babies, a thousand more than the criteria demands.
Premature babies and children born with congenital abnormalities, 350 in 1996, can receive immediate on-site care at the Royal Children's Hospital. A recently established joint liaison committee of community groups, trades unions and medical staff are opposing the proposed separation of maternity services away from the children's hospital. ``Women with high risk pregnancies can have their babies delivered in a hospital where the necessary investigations and treatment can be carried out immediately after birth,'' says the committee. ``Mothers want, need and have the right to be near their sick children.''
The campaign to keep the RMH open has attracted international support from leading medical experts. Professor Robert Usher, Director of Neonatology from McGill University in Canada, speaking against the proposed RMH closure emphasised the importance of Neonatology and Paediatrics remaining adjacent ``if sick newborns are to receive optimal care.'' Dr Barbara Golden, senior lecturer at Aberdeen University Hospital described the proposal as ``catastrophic''. To date ninety of the world's top child care experts have identified the separation of services as likely to lead to increased neonatal morality and lower standards of care for women and children.