Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 October 2014
140. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 7 October 2014, the provisions that have been put in place to provide midwife care to 25 women in the Dublin and mid-Leinster region, in view of their current midwife being unable to support these women because her insurance has been suspended by the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40620/14]
View answerI have been informed by the HSE that there were 12 mothers-to-be contracted for homebirths 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 Self-Employed Community Midwives (SECM), some are still deciding, some have decided to access private maternity services and some have accessed a maternity hospital for their confinement. I would suggest that if any of the remaining mothers-to-be that are known but not contracted to Ms Canning and to the HSE, have any concerns, they should contact their designated midwife officer.
Any mothers-to-be who are not contracted with the HSE should contact their designated midwife officers to explore the options available to them. All other HSE services within the maternity hospital systems are available to all mothers-to-be.
