Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has said he welcomed today’s statement from the Sisters of Charity stating that they are removing themselves from the ownership of St Vincent’s Healthcare Group, meaning they will not be involved in the ownership or management of the new National Maternity Hospital.

The Sinn Féin TD described it as the right decision for the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group, Irish tax payers, future patients, and the future governance of the new National Maternity Hospital.

Deputy Seán Crowe:

“I welcome this announcement from the Sisters of Charity and I believe it reflects the right decision for the Sisters, the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group, Irish tax payers, future patients, and the governance of the proposed new National Maternity Hospital. The provision of health services should be free of any religious interference.

“The prospect that the Sisters of Charity would have an ownership claim over a new maternity hospital, in which the State was proposing to invest approximately €300 million, when the Sisters own liability and failure to live up to their own care commitment to institutional victims was still outstanding, was very concerning for taxpayers and particularly for the women who will be cared for in the prospective new maternity hospital.

“The decision of the Sisters of Charity to relinquish ownership of the St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group will allow the new National Maternity Hospital to develop into a modern fit for purpose hospital, without any concerns around conflict of interest issues.

“What is now needed is openness and transparency, with the publishing in full of the details of the transfer of ownership and operations so it can be scrutinised by politicians and the public alike.

“There is now a clear onus on the Minister for Health to come forward with new proposals that will ensure that the State’s huge investment in this new Maternity Hospital is properly protected, that this is reflected in its ownership structure, and any new inclusive governance board.

“Full compliance with international best practice, and what is in the patients’ best interest, needs to be at core of the governance and running of this new hospital.

“While the decision is a step in the right direction, the maternity services in the State need to be significantly improved as they are failing women.”

ENDS