Women's health under threat
by Laura Friel
CLOSURE of the Royal Maternity Hospital and Breast Clinic, and
the removal of gynaecological and neonatology (care of the
newborn) services away from West Belfast's Royal Group of
Hospitals would have a drastic effect on the health of women and
put vulnerable newborns at greater risk.
In a detailed submission to the NIO Minister for Health Tony
Worthington, Gerry Adams described the decision of the previous
British Tory Minister to transfer services away from the Royal to
the City Tower Block Hospital as ``deeply flawed'' and ``flying in
the face of all medical, clinical and economic argument.''
The West Belfast MP was responding to an invitation by the newly
appointed British Minister to all those who were previously
consulted by his predecessor to comment on the proposed closure.
``Closing the Royal Maternity ignores the needs and wishes of
women by taking away their choice, control and accessibility to
maternity care'', says Adams. ``Women from throughout the Six
Counties chose to attend the Royal Maternity because of its
regional specialist services.'' In 1996 the Royal Maternity
delivered 3,000 babies, a thousand more than the criteria
demands.
Premature babies and children born with congenital abnormalities,
350 in 1996, can receive immediate on-site care at the Royal
Children's Hospital. A recently established joint liaison
committee of community groups, trades unions and medical staff
are opposing the proposed separation of maternity services away
from the children's hospital. ``Women with high risk pregnancies
can have their babies delivered in a hospital where the necessary
investigations and treatment can be carried out immediately after
birth,'' says the committee. ``Mothers want, need and have the
right to be near their sick children.''
The campaign to keep the RMH open has attracted international
support from leading medical experts. Professor Robert Usher,
Director of Neonatology from McGill University in Canada,
speaking against the proposed RMH closure emphasised the
importance of Neonatology and Paediatrics remaining adjacent ``if
sick newborns are to receive optimal care.'' Dr Barbara Golden,
senior lecturer at Aberdeen University Hospital described the
proposal as ``catastrophic''. To date ninety of the world's top
child care experts have identified the separation of services as
likely to lead to increased neonatal morality and lower standards
of care for women and children.
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