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Rotunda HIQA report makes clear the urgent need for enhanced services and funding from Government

  • HIQA inspection demonstrates the clear and pressing need to enhance the facilities at the Rotunda
  • Minister must commit the funding for the new critical care wing and enhancements to the Rotunda
  • Serious capital investment required to make up for two decades of underinvestment in maternity services

Labour Party Health Spokesperson and TD for Dublin Central Marie Sherlock has called on the Minister for Health to ensure that the funding is provided to build the new critical care wing for the Rotunda and to enhance the facilities in the hospital.

Following the publication of the HIQA inspection report, Deputy Sherlock said:

“Today’s publication of the Rotunda monitoring inspection report on compliance in healthcare services demonstrates very clearly why we have been campaigning on the need for a critical care wing at the Rotunda.

"These 18th century facilities are no longer fit to provide for modern, world class 21st century maternity care. That is a damming indictment of a government that has dragged its heels in clarifying the policy of co-location for the Rotunda.

“The HIQA inspection report makes it very clear that despite the best efforts of a dedicated and an exceptionally caring staff and leadership, the facilities at the Rotunda are simply falling far short for women, babies, and staff.

"It is simply unacceptable that space limitations are impacting on the ability of staff to provide private and dignified care. It is a disgrace to read that these capacity constraints are even resulting in limited bathroom facilities for the women in multi-occupancy rooms.

“While I am disappointed that the lack of clarity on co-location has delayed the building of the critical care wing, I am glad that the Minister has now clarified the policy of co-location regarding the Rotunda.

"We now need to see action from the Government. The Minister for Health must ensure that the funding to build the new critical care wing and enhanced facilities in the existing Rotunda complex is provided with urgency.

“Even more concerning is that the infrastructure is leading to heightened infection risks. We know that children in the neo-natal unit are not being given the recommended spacing to ensure that these babies are shielded from infection as much as possible. We should expect so much more for such vulnerable babies.

“The reality is that these issues are a result of two decades of underinvestment by Government into maternity services in Ireland. That now must change. The Minister must make it clear now that the funding for the critical care wing will be made available once planning comes through over this year or next and to enhance the current facilities in the Rotunda."