The Irish Times (Letters)
Sir, – Special adviser, Dr Peter Boylan stated that the new abortion services will be “unrecognisable” in a year’s time from how they will appear on January 1st – the date for implementation set by Minister for Health Simon Harris. (Home News, December 16th). This comment is a cause of deep concern for clinicians who will be working in maternity units on day one and afterwards, when these services are rolled out. . .
. . . we will insist that the HSE and the Department of Health meet their responsibilities and commit to ongoing engagement with clinicians to resource our maternity units to the highest standards. The understandable passion to finally provide abortion care in Ireland should not blind us to the clinical reality of how unprepared we are. . .
Dr. Bridgette Byrne,Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital & RCSI;
Prof. Chris Fitzpatrick, Associate Prof. Mairead Kennelly, Associate Prof. Aisling Martin, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital & UCD;
Dr. Sharon Sheehan,Master/CEO, Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital;
Dr. Keelin O’Donoghue, CorkUniversity Maternity Hospital & UCC;
Dr. Noirin Russell, Cork UniversityMaternity Hospital;
Prof. Fionnuala McAuliffe, NationalMaternity Hospital & UCD;
Dr. Peter McParland,National Maternity Hospital;
Dr. Jenny Walsh, National Maternity Hospital
Dr Nandini Ravikumar, Midland Regional Hospital at Mullingar;
Ass. Prof. Elizabeth Dunn, Wexford General Hospital & UCD & Dr. Francois Gardeil, Wexford General Hospital.