"There Is No Place for Any Religious Organisation in 21st Century Care" - Irish Midwives

Irish Independent
April 26, 2017

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/there-is-no-place-for-any-religious-organisation-in-21st-century-care-irish-midwives-35655260.html

St Vincent’s Hospital on Merrion Road, Dublin. Photo: Damien Eagers

A representative for Irish midwives said they want relocation but they do not want any religious order to have a say in modern hospitals.

Ally Murphy, of the Irish Midwives Association told Breakfast Newstalk that they want what is best for Irish women.

She was speaking as the controversy over the decision to give ownership of the new ˆ300m National Maternity Hospital to the Sisters of Charity rumbled on.

She told hosts Shane Coleman and Paul Williams that midwives want relocation.

"However the decisions made today will shape the future of our maternity care. We do want hospitals for the 21st century. We do feel that there is no place for any religious organisation in this 21st century care."

Ms Murphy said they have a difficulty with the current structure.

She explained that they want assurances that the main stakeholders will be "the only ones signing off on the clinical care for the women of Ireland".

She added: "We need to look at what the women of Ireland want."

She said promises about independence must be kept: "We have a history with the church in our country and we need to be reassured. We would be happy that there is a discussion to reassure the Irish people.

"The irish midwives want to know that we are listening to the women of Ireland."