Home birth advocates to protest over midwife insurance

A group of women with their children outside the Four Courts last week demonstrating in support of midwife Philomena Canning who had her insurance refused by the HSE. Photograph: Cyril Byrne / The Irish Times

Home birth campaigners are to protest outside the Dil this week over the treatment of independent midwife Philomena Canning.

The HSE withdrew Ms Cannings professional indemnity to practice following what they described as two serious incidents.

She went to the High Court last week and claimed the HSEs decision to withdraw her indemnity cover, taken earlier this month, is unlawful and has effectively shut down her practice.

The HSE, which opposed the application, said it temporarily suspended her insurance cover pending an investigation into the circumstances of two home births at which Ms Canning provided midwifery services.

The HSE argued that while no findings of wrongdoing had been made against Ms Canning, it had to act in the interests of public health until the investigation into the incidents had been concluded.

Ms Canning said she did not accept the standard of care she provided fell below the required levels.

High Court judge Mr Justice Max Barrett refused to grant Ms Canning an injunction restraining the HSE from withdrawing indemnity cover under its Clinical Indemnity Scheme.

The HSEs actions have angered many involved in home birth, including 25 women who have Ms Canning as their home birth midwife.

Supporters of Ms Canning will present a petition to Dil ireann which has 2,500 signatures, and have sought a meeting with the Minister for Health Leo Varadkar.

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Home birth advocates to protest over midwife insurance