This article is from page 6 of the 2006-03-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
A GROUP campaigning for maternity services in Clare has rowed in behind the campaign to safeguard accident and emergency services in Clare.
Spokesperson for the Maternity Service Group, Susan Killeen, said that the group is concerned about the Accident and Emergency Department in the Mid-West Regional Hospital Ennis, as it is the first point of call for emergency births in the county.
The lobby group has been campaigning for a midwife-led unit for Clare for a number of years, as well as promoting the choice of a home birth within the county.
There are currently no maternity services in Clare, with the exception of Kilkee based midwife, Sue Cole, who provides a private service.
Last year, 1,387 Clare women gave birth in the Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick, one third of them by caesarean section.
A further 180 Clare mothers gave birth in the National University Hospital Galway.
Ms Killeen told The Clare People that home births were for the minority. But, the group would like to see a home birth service provided for the county by the HSE, so that women had choices.
She said there was no information provided on home births when looked for by expectant mothers in the county.
A seminar has now been organised by the Home Birth Association in Blackrock Cork on Saturday next. There is currently a pilot scheme on home births in Cork.
A couple who experienced such a birth will talk about their experience while experts provide further information.