Lessons must be learned from Rotunda mess

• Relief to see Minister for Health and Government finally concede that relocation policy was real obstacle to the Rotunda’s plans 
• Swift action needed – babies being born there now

Labour’s health spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD has welcomed the long-awaited clarity on the future of the Rotunda hospital.

Having raised the matter directly with the Taoiseach in the Dáil this afternoon, Deputy Sherlock said brinkmanship when it comes to maternity care is no way to do business.

Deputy Sherlock said:

“I have been calling on the Minister, her Department and the HSE to clarify the situation as it relates to the Rotunda Hospital for some weeks now. The fact that Government ignored requests by the Rotunda to clarify its future location while going through the planning process smacked of sheer arrogance.

“Clarity at last this evening, but lessons must be learned from this debacle. Time is being lost on developing this vital critical care unit for premature and very sick babies because of how this was all handled.

“I very much hope now that the new planning proposal will go smoothly for the Rotunda.

“The staff at the Rotunda hospital are renowned for the care and service they provide to women and families.

“We now need to see quick and urgent action on the delivery of a critical care wing now without delay. The Rotunda Hospital is the busiest maternity hospital in Ireland and one of the busiest in Europe, delivering more than 8,000 babies in 2024. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil can’t keep kicking women’s healthcare down the line. There’s babies being born now in sub-par conditions, women receiving good news and bad news in standards that are just not acceptable.”