There are ways to avoid litigation around homebirths

Michael Clifford is correct regarding home births in Ireland (Irish Examiner, December 6).

However he ignores an extreme case that would be a nightmare for an HSE lawyer and by extension the taxpayer. Imagine a woman pregnant for the third time.

She has already safely given birth twice at home.

However this third birth is a disaster and the baby dies, despite her own insistence on having the birth at home.

She then sues the HSE for being legally responsible for the baby’s death.

But there is a simple solution.

Any woman who wants a home birth should sign a contract with the HSE saying that she is aware of the risks and so accepts responsibility for any resulting illness or death, of herself and/or child.

The only obligation of the HSE here is to treat this like any other 999 call (down however many miles of country lane).

Frank Desmond

25 Evergreen Road

Cork City