Press Release: Tuesday 17 May 2022
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD has welcomed the Government’s approval of the legal framework that will underpin the ownership and governance arrangements for the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) at the St Vincent’s University Hospital campus at Elm Park. This follows the recent agreement by Cabinet to allow for additional public debate and scrutiny of the documents relating to the framework.
The legal framework has also been approved by the HSE Board as well as the Boards of the NMH and St Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG).
Minister Donnelly said: “Today is an important milestone as we work to improve maternity services for the women and children of Ireland. The new National Maternity Hospital is a critical piece of health infrastructure that will ensure women and infants are cared for in a state-of-the-art hospital that will help our clinicians deliver improved outcomes.
“I would like to pay particular tribute to all of those from across our maternity services, from nurses to midwives to clinicians, along with the management and administrative teams behind them who have worked hard over the last two weeks to address and bring clarity to the genuine concerns of many relating to our new Maternity Hospital.
“This announcement is the culmination of many years of dedication, engagement and hard work and I would like to thank all of those who have contributed so much to bring us to this exciting stage in the life of this vital project.”
The legal framework addresses both the ownership and governance of the new hospital. It will:
- Ensure that all legally permissible services will be available in the new NMH
- Prevent any influence, religious or otherwise, on the operation of the new hospital
- Safeguard the State’s significant investment in the hospital.
Minister Donnelly said: “There were concerns that access to essential healthcare services could potentially be restricted due to the religious beliefs or ethical code of the hospitals concerned. I am absolutely satisfied that this legal framework ensures this will not be the case and that all lawfully permissible services will be provided in the new NMH, as they are in the current NMH.”
In recognition of this crucial step in the provision of first-class maternity care, Paul Reid, CEO of the HSE, said: “Delivering the new NMH at the St Vincent’s campus is a hugely important development in our efforts to improve maternity and gynaecology services in Ireland. The approval of the legal framework by all key parties brings us one step closer to making this new hospital a reality.”
It is well recognised that the buildings at Holles Street are no longer fit for purpose and the need to redevelop the NMH has been accepted for many years. The National Maternity Strategy sets out a vision for future maternity services, where women are treated with dignity and respect in an appropriate physical environment. This new hospital is a vital step towards that vision. More than just a building, it will also support best outcomes in women’s health through co-location with adult services, and by supporting the Sláintecare vision of high quality, accessible and safe care.
