‘Maternity hospital problems ignored for years’

Politicians ignored problems in maternity hospitals for years, a medical expert has told the Oireachtas health committee.

Dr Chris Fitzpatrick, former master at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital in Dublin, said maternity staff felt abandoned by the political system.

Dr Fitzpatrick, who has worked as a consultant at the Coombe for almost 20 years, seven as master, said hospitals were often run into the ground because of chronic under-investment.