INDEPENDENT BOARD Sisters of Mercy unlikely to have any involvement in the running of the new National Maternity Hospital

IRELAND
The Irish Sun

By Fergus O’Shea
29th April 2017

RELIGIOUS leaders are unlikely to have any say over the running of the new National Maternity Hospital, a spokesperson has claimed.

The Irish Sun contacted the hospital with a series of questions over the controversy which has seen two high-profile medics quit their board posts in recent days.

Professor Chris Fitzpatrick said on Friday that doctors will find it “very difficult” to have clinical independence working in a hospital that is owned by a religious organisation.

Dr Fitzpatrick stepped down from his role on the project board of the National Maternity Hospital in solidarity with Dr Peter Boylan and expressed his concerns about the Sisters of Charity having ownership of the €300m taxpayer-funded facility.

But, while the hospital would not comment on their decision to step aside, it did move to allay fears of clerical interference on the St Vincent’s site.

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