Obstetricians Reiterate Concerns About New Abortion Regime
15.01.2019
The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has held an Extraordinary General Meeting to discuss a motion regarding risk to safety of patients due to inadequate preparation regarding the implementation of abortion services.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland after the meeting, the Institute’s chairman, Dr Cliona Murphy, said it is the view of a lot of members that the service has been introduced too quickly, and a more phased roll-out would be better. She said Dr Peter Boylan has been an adviser but has no operational accountability on the ground.
Dr Murphy said that while doctors and other medical staff are entitled to have conscientious objections to providing abortions, in some hospitals it had been difficult to find enough staff to carry out a surgical abortion. She said that maternity and obstetric care involved a multi-disciplinary team and needs nurses, midwives and others to take part in the service. However, Dr Murphy said those objecting are not obstructing planning for the service.
The HSE has declined to say how many of the ten maternity hospitals not yet providing abortion services are unable to do so because of conscientious objections.