Labour seeks nationwide audit of maternity service difficulties

The Labour party has called for a nationwide audit of maternity facilities in order to address an impending crisis in the sector.

Maternity hospitals in Dublin, Limerick and Tralee have warned that they are under huge strain due to increasing birth rates.

Limerick Regional Maternity Hospital has warned that it may have to turn away women due to a shortage of consultants, while the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin has threatened to introduce a cap on deliveries due to a lack of available space.

The Irish Nurses Organisation, meanwhile, has also warned that a shortage of midwives is putting maternity services at risk.

Labour Health spokeswoman Liz McManus said the Government must address the problem by first assessing the extent of difficulties in each hospital and then take measures to ensure that their needs are met.