Expectant mothers left in limbo after sudden closure of VBAC midwife clinic
Expectant mothers left in limbo after sudden closure of VBAC midwife clinic - The Labour Party
Labour TD for Limerick Conor Sheehan has called on the Minister for Health to urgently intervene following the sudden closure of the dedicated Vaginal Birth after Caesarean (VBAC) community midwife clinic at University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL). Deputy Sheehan said the sudden closure of the dedicated VBAC community midwife clinic at University Maternity Hospital Limerick has left expectant mothers in the Midwest distressed and anxious and left in limbo without clarity on their continuity of care.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“The sudden closure of the dedicated VBAC community midwife clinic at University Maternity Hospital Limerick has left expectant mothers across the Midwest abandoned at one of the most important moments of their lives. That is simply unacceptable.
“We know that the rate of caesarean section at UMHL is above the national average. The VBAC clinic provides women with greater choice and continuity of care about their pregnancy and birth.
“This sudden shutdown in the middle of care completely contradicts the National Maternity Strategy, which commits to expanding midwifery-led services and giving women more personalised maternity care. Instead of building these services, the HSE has allowed yet another essential maternity service in the Midwest to disappear.
“Women attending this clinic should never be forced to carry the burden of chronic underfunding and understaffing at UMHL. This comes in the same week that staff at the hospital were forced to take industrial action because of unsafe staffing levels. That should be a wake-up call for Government. Essential maternity services such as the VBAC clinic must be protected.
“Women and families across Limerick and the wider Midwest deserve access to the same standard of maternity care available elsewhere in the country. The Minister cannot stand back – immediate action is needed to restore this service and provide reassurance to every woman affected.”