HSE Demands Rotunda List of Public-Only Consultants Providing Private Practice by Today

The Rotunda board must provide the HSE by close of business today with a list of public-only consultants permitted to continue private practice at the maternity hospital. The HSE warned that the Rotunda's response would determine if funding to the country's largest maternity hospital would be withheld or withdrawn.

This follows Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill declining a meeting with the hospital board, with the Department of Health stating no meeting would occur until the Rotunda aligned with Government policy. Taoiseach Michéal Martin and Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice have also emphasized that consultants who signed public-only contracts must fulfill them, calling it a reasonable government expectation and crucial for Sláintecare reforms.

The HSE has requested names of consultants performing private practice on public-only contracts, the individuals who granted permission, the number of babies delivered by these consultants, and the number of pregnant women receiving private care from them. The amount of money billed or claimed by the Rotunda from mothers or private health insurance companies for these services has also been sought. Carroll MacNeill suggested the Rotunda may owe refunds to women, and Insurance Ireland stated they would not expect private fees from public-only consultants.