IrelandAbout 150 women seeking private maternity care at the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) have been turned away by consultants over the past six weeks, as new policies restrict private work within public hospitals. Declan Keane, a senior clinician at the NMH, noted this is only the second time in nearly 30 years that such refusals have occurred. New public-only contracts, effective since January, prohibit consultants from providing private care, affecting both new and existing staff. With only 12 out of 25 consultant obstetricians still allowing private care, demand exceeds availability. Keane emphasized that while alternatives like other private hospitals exist, the choice to seek private care at the NMH is now limited. He compared the current situation to a 2004 crisis linked to overcrowding, highlighting concerns about future capacity.
Bias read (Center): The article presents information about policy changes and their impact on healthcare access without overtly endorsing or criticizing any political stance. It includes quotes from a senior clinician expressing concern about the implications of the policy, but does not frame the issue as a partisan or
