Clients of closed midwife service urged to contact maternity hospitals

PMI offered homebirths with many of its midwives working in areas where the HSE national homebirth service does not operate.

Former clients of Private Midwives Ireland (PMI) who are in late pregnancy have been urged to contact Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) or their nearest maternity hospital.

The private service closed abruptly last week for financial reasons, leaving women scrambling for care with some as late as 38 weeks pregnant. 

PMI offered homebirths with many of its midwives working in areas where the HSE national homebirth service does not operate.

CUMH clinical director Dr Mairead O’Riordan said on Friday: “We urge women approaching their due date to contact their local maternity hospital and ask to be put through to the bed manager. 

"From there, a plan will be put in place to ensure they receive timely and appropriate care as they prepare for the arrival of their baby." 

She added: “Many women will have built strong relationships with their midwife through PMI. 

"If they wish, that midwife can attend the birth as their support person.” 

HSE Southwest said each woman will be assessed individually and given a care plan.

The CUMH switchboard can direct calls for any women affected who have clinical concerns or are approaching their due date, it said.

Women who are earlier in their pregnancy are advised to contact their GP and arrange a referral for care. 

Anyone who has difficulty contacting a GP for this can instead contact their local maternity hospital and explain their situation, the HSE said.

“In an emergency situation, women should attend their nearest emergency department immediately,” it advised. 

The Doula Association of Ireland also said on Friday the news is “deeply saddening”.

It said: “At a time when choice in maternity care is more important than ever, losing a provider that offered home birth options to so many is heart-breaking.” 

Its comments follow similar concerns shared last week by AIMS Ireland and midwives working for PMI.

Midwife Sarah McCann told the Irish Examiner the sudden closure left her clients "scrambling" for alternatives. 

The eligibility criteria for homebirths with PMI and with the HSE are different. And she explained this meant her clients could not simply transfer over even though she worked for both services.