The National Archives of Ireland tweetz:
Dublin’s Lying-in Hospital is the oldest maternity facility in the world. This fine paper seal attached to an application to Dublin Castle for funds in 1818, features a mother and 3 infants. Now Ireland has the highest birth rate in the EU!
From top: Rotunda Hospital; Gift pack for every baby born in the hospital in the first week of October
Expecting?
Like free knitwear?
Read on
Cormac McAdam writes:
To celebrate National Breastfeeding Week, ALL babies delivered in the Rotunda Hospital, [ Parnell Square, Dublin 1] from the 1st to the 7th of October, will receive a gift pack knitted with love and donated to the Rotunda Foundation by the Rotunda Knitters group.
The Rotunda Hospital is the largest hospital in the country and the only hospital in Dublin to have achieved the Baby Friendly Health designation.
Breastmilk is the optimum choice for all of our babies with 73% of our mothers initiating breastfeeding.
The Rotunda Knitters are a community of knitters who knit for Premature & Angel Babies born at the Rotunda. Our thanks go to them for their tremendous and continued support.
In fairness,
*gurgle*
New master of the Rotunda Hospital, Professor Fergal Malone
Of course you are.
Gareth Naughton writes:
“In his first major TV interview since taking over as master at one of the nation’s biggest maternity hospitals, Prof Fergal Malone will be joining Ryan Tubridy on The Late Late Show this Friday to discuss the challenges faced by medics and their patients in an increasingly under pressure health service.”
“We’ll hear his views on how the Irish health system is failing women, from those whose cancers may be missed as a result of treatment delays to the pregnant women who must travel abroad if they want to terminate unviable pregnancies, and what can be done to fix it.”
Related: Rotunda master’s comments on abortion criticised (Catherine Shanahan, Irish Examiner)
Yesterday: Climate Of Fear
Members and supporters of the group Survivors of Symphysiotomy at an EGM in September 2014 with Rita Doyle, in the front row dressed in purple
Marie O’Connor, Chairperson of Survivors of Symphysiotomy, writes:
“We are appealing to the Master of the Rotunda Hospital to authorise the immediate release of obstetric records belonging to one of our members. The National Archives confirmed to a national newspaper in mid-December that they hold these records. They will release these records as soon as the Rotunda Hospital consents.”
“It is inexcusable that, three weeks after their identification, the hospital’s consent is still not forthcoming. While the hospital has cited staff shortages as a reason for not dealing with this in a timely manner, this is not a reason that can be applied here. The National Archives have been most helpful. All the usual demands, including a written request to be accompanied by photo identification, were met three weeks ago by our member.”
“Ms [Rita] Doyle is one of a number of women deeply affected by the belated ‘discovery’ of thousands of maternity care records, some of which detail the performance of symphysiotomies and puybiotomies in three different hospitals. Documents relating to the Rotunda Hospital, such as theatre and birth registers, are held in the National Archives.’
“The Department of Health has failed to explain why these records were not disclosed in response to queries from our members. All the evidence points to a systemic cover-up. We must now ask whether the authorities intend to hold onto these vital records until after the final closing date for the Government’s scheme for survivors of symphysiotomy has passed.”
“Dáil questions asked by TDs at our request forced the disclosure of these records. There seems to have been an overarching intention on the part of the authorities to withhold them, even at the cost of breaching Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation.’
“We appeal to Dr Coulter-Smith to consent to the release these records. Ms Doyle has waited for 53 years for the certain knowledge these records will bring: while it may not be be unlawful to force her to wait for another month, such an action would be inhumane as well as needless.”
Related: ‘They butchered me… now I will find the proof’ (Irish Independent)
Previously: ‘Many Women Had This Operation Wide Awake’
Thanks Marie
Pic: SOS (Facebook)
