Rotunda Reverses Private Care for Public-Only Consultants; Patients Share Experiences
Ireland's Rotunda Hospital has reversed its decision to allow public-only consultants to treat private patients on-site. This impacts patient choice, as there are no private maternity hospitals in the State. Patients shared diverse experiences with public and private care, highlighting both satisfaction and concerns regarding continuity, quality, and access.
The Rotunda, Ireland's largest maternity hospital, has reversed its decision to allow consultants on public-only contracts to treat private patients on-site. This comes after its master, Prof Seán Daly, initially defended the practice, citing women's right to «choice». The master of the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street had supported the Rotunda, urging the Government to consider public-private contracts for new obstetricians.
Since 2023, public-only contracts require consultants to perform only public work in public hospitals, with any private work conducted off-site outside rostered hours. Older contracts permit private care in public hospitals. There are no private maternity hospitals in Ireland since Mount Carmel closed in 2014.
Irish Times readers shared varied experiences. Tamara Fitzpatrick, a mother of five, praised the public system for «second to none» continuity of care. Esther Walsh, after a difficult public birth in 2021, chose private care for her second son in 2024, finding it undid the trauma. Lucie Revay experienced rushed, anonymous care in the Rotunda in 2021 but a more relaxed experience in Wexford General in 2024.
Kym Daly, an IVF patient, chose private care in October 2024 and worries about the removal of choice, stating public care needs significant improvement first. Julianne O’Sullivan, who paid €4,500 for private care, had her «delivery of my dreams» and believes women should have choice. Maria Galas had three positive public births at Holles Street (2020, 2022, 2025), including continuity of care and mental health support. Aoife O’Connell praised the free public midwife-led Domino scheme in 2024 for its exceptional care. Katie, going semi-private for her first baby this August, noted crowded waiting rooms and staff pressure, expressing concern about busy labour wards. Orla, planning children, is disappointed by the public-only consultant news, desiring the option of private care for higher quality consultant involvement.