National Maternity Hospital Turns Away 150 Women Seeking Private Care Amid Policy Changes

London, United Kingdom Jul 23, 2026 ALN: The National Maternity Hospital (NMH) has recently reported a significant shift in its operational capacity, leading to the turning away of approximately 150 women seeking private maternity care over the last six weeks. This situation arises amid a broader policy change affecting maternity services across Ireland, particularly concerning the availability of private care in publicly funded hospitals.

The NMH, located at Holles Street in Dublin, is one of the largest and most prominent maternity hospitals in Ireland, renowned for its comprehensive range of services and high-quality care. However, the recent changes in policy regarding private maternity care have prompted a concerning trend. A senior clinician at the hospital, Declan Keane, who serves as the clinical director and has previously held the position of master at NMH, noted that this is only the second instance in nearly three decades where the hospital has had to refuse mothers wishing to opt for private care.

Since the beginning of 2023, new public-only contracts for consultants have come into effect, which prohibit doctors from engaging in private work within public hospitals. While signing these new contracts has been voluntary for consultants on older public-private agreements, it has been mandatory for those who have qualified since the start of this year. This shift has significant implications for the structure and availability of maternity services in Ireland, particularly for those women who prefer or require private care.

Keane pointed out that the hospital has seen a notable reduction in the number of consultants available for private maternity care. Over recent years, three senior consultants have retired, and their replacements are primarily on public-only contracts. This trend is expected to continue, with further retirements anticipated over the next three years. Currently, only 12 out of 25 consultant obstetricians at NMH are still on contracts that allow them to provide private maternity services. As a result, the demand for private care has begun to exceed the available capacity, leading to the unfortunate situation where many women are unable to secure appointments with their preferred consultants.

Keane elaborated that most consultants at NMH can accommodate between three to five private patients weekly, and an internal audit revealed that nearly 150 women have been turned away in just six weeks due to these capacity constraints. This situation is particularly critical for first-time mothers who often seek continuity of care with a specific consultant. Keane expressed concern, stating, "For the first time, unfortunately, the number of parents wishing to come to the NMH for private care is higher than the number of consultants we have to take on that number of women."

While the hospital continues to provide excellent care, the choice of private maternity services is becoming increasingly limited. Women who are unable to secure private consultations may consider alternative options, such as booking with consultants at other hospitals like the Rotunda or the Coombe, or they may opt for semi-private care at NMH. Keane reassured that despite the challenges, the quality of care provided to these women will remain high, even if they cannot pursue private arrangements.

The current situation draws parallels to a similar crisis in 2004 when NMH faced severe capacity issues due to overcrowding. During that year, women were warned that the hospital could be "booked out" from May through September, highlighting the ongoing challenges within the maternity care system in Ireland. Keane remarked that the pressure on private care has developed in line with his expectations, although he did not anticipate the onset of these issues to occur so swiftly. He predicts that the situation will escalate into a more significant problem within the next five years, as the hospital continues to turn away prospective patients.

In light of these developments, the NMH has not supported the Rotunda’s previous decision to allow public-only consultants to continue offering private care. Instead, Keane and his colleagues are advocating for a derogation for maternity services from the Government’s overarching plan to eliminate private practice within public hospitals. This advocacy reflects a growing concern among maternity care providers about the implications of policy changes on the availability and quality of care for expectant mothers in Ireland.

The implications of these policy changes extend beyond individual hospitals and consultants; they may also affect the broader landscape of maternity care in Ireland. As the demand for maternity services continues to grow, particularly in light of increasing birth rates and changing demographics, the ability of hospitals to meet the needs of women seeking care is becoming increasingly strained. The transition to public-only contracts may lead to a diminished capacity for private care, which could exacerbate existing challenges and create disparities in access to quality maternity services.

Furthermore, the situation raises questions about the future of maternity care in Ireland and the potential need for systemic reforms to address the underlying issues of capacity and access. Policymakers may need to consider alternative solutions that balance the goals of public health equity with the needs and preferences of expectant mothers, including the potential for expanding consultant numbers, enhancing training programs, and exploring innovative care delivery models.

As the NMH navigates these changes, the experiences of the women affected by the recent policy shifts will be crucial in shaping the ongoing discourse around maternity care in Ireland. The hospital's commitment to providing high-quality care remains steadfast, but the challenges posed by the evolving landscape of maternity services underscore the need for continued dialogue and action to ensure that all women have access to the care they need during one of the most significant times in their lives.