Yes Minister, it’s time for a closer look at maternity care

This State would appear to have little time for anybody who stands apart from the herd. Time and again, whether it’s the musings of economist Morgan Kelly or the revelations of a number of whistle- blowers, organs of the State tend to close ranks and shut out dissonant voices.

Philomena Canning may be one such example. Her current plight is unsettling and raises a whole host of questions about our health service, and particularly maternity care. More than anything though, her case is disturbing in what it appears to say about how power can be used to silence those who discommode major organs of state.

Canning is a midwife with 31 years’ experience in homebirths. In this country, homebirths do not have the status, or popularity, enjoyed in other developed countries. For instance, there are no birth centres — which effectively offer a homebirth away from home — while there are around 100 in our neighbouring jurisdiction. There may be cultural reasons for this. There may be perceptions about safety. One way or the other, those who work in the area say that the practice receives little support or commitment from the HSE.