Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has welcomed the passing of his party’s Private Members’ Motion on maternity services. The Sinn Féin TD described it as a victory for common sense and that it will bring hope for all women who need to access maternity services.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“I am delighted that our motion, which contains a commitment to ensure the new National Maternity Hospital is built on the St. Vincent’s Hospital campus as quickly as possible and crucially remains entirely within public ownership, was agreed by the Dáil.

“Over the past number of weeks we have seen a conversation started on the issue of our maternity services and women’s health. That’s clearly a good thing and good for society. Our current maternity services are not up to standard, and are failing women and their children.

“Our comprehensive motion contained a wealth of proposals for improvements to our maternity services including universal access to foetal anomaly screening, and the full implementation of the National Maternity Strategy. It also contained a commitment to work with nursing and medical unions in the recruitment and retention of medical staff so that all maternity hospitals meet the Birth rate plus standard for midwifery staffing, as well as international standards for consultant obstetricians and gynaecologists.

“This decision was a victory for common sense and was agreed without amendment by all TDs.

“The motion not only addressed the contentious matter of state ownership but also called for a legal guarantee for independence from all non-medical influence in its clinical operations within the laws of the State.

“Members of the Dáil have clearly echoed the public’s demand for complete transparency on the creation of a new maternity hospital on the St. Vincent’s site and have supported our party’s urgent call for the much needed upgrading and improvement to the services provided to women.”

ENDS