Upgraded services at CGH welcomed

Cavan was the last maternity hospital in country to offer full abortion services.

Cavan Pro Choice and the National Women’s Council (NWC) of Ireland has welcomed the provision of a full range of abortion services to women at Cavan General Hospital.

Cavan was the last maternity hospital in the country to start offering a full service after Tipperary last year.

It is Government policy that termination services, under the 2018 Act, should be provided in all 19 of the country's maternity hospitals.

Confirmation of a start date in Cavan was provided by new Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill last month.

A spokesperson for Cavan Pro-Choice said the group welcomed the "long-awaited provision of a full range of abortion services for women at Cavan General Hospital.

"This marks an important milestone in ensuring that women in Cavan now have access to vital healthcare services locally. However, it is concerning that Cavan was the last maternity hospital in Ireland to begin offering the full service.

"While we acknowledge this positive development, we believe that the introduction of termination services has been disconcertingly slow."

The local campaigners though pointed out that there are "still gaps in the implementation" of these services.

"One glaring issue," they say, is the "lack of comprehensive support for women facing fatal foetal abnormalities, a concern that continues to drive many women to seek terminations abroad. This was highlighted in a RTÉ Investigates documentary last year, which illustrated the ongoing struggle of women who are still being forced to travel outside of Ireland to access necessary care.

"The RTÉ Investigates program revealed how women continue to face significant emotional and financial burdens when seeking terminations abroad. This is particularly troubling when the law, passed in 2018, was intended to ensure that no woman in Ireland would have to travel for these services. The fact that this remains a reality for many women is a stark reminder that much work remains to be done to ensure full and equitable access to reproductive healthcare."

The statement concludes with Cavan Pro-Choice urging that the introduction of abortion services at Cavan General Hospital also highlights the "critical need" for the implementation of safe zones, in line with Irish legislation under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018.

"This legislation ensures access to lawful termination services while protecting patients and healthcare professionals from harassment and intimidation. These safe zones will protect patients and staff from harassment, allowing individuals to access care in a space free from disruption and intimidation. By offering a secure and respectful atmosphere, safe zones uphold the dignity of those making deeply personal healthcare decisions and promote an environment where everyone is treated with compassion.

"As we move forward, it is crucial that all women in Ireland, regardless of their circumstances, have access to safe, timely, and comprehensive reproductive healthcare."

Doireann Crosson, Women’s health Coordinator with the National Women’s Council (NWC) meanwhile told the Celt: “One of the gaps since the introduction of abortion legislation in Ireland following the repeal referendum had been the lack of access within maternity hospitals. It is really welcome to see Cavan finally providing the full range of abortion services. This ensures that women across the country can have access to the necessary care in their community.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Health meanwhile confirmed that as of March 31, 2025, all 19 maternity hospitals are now providing termination of pregnancy services.

"Expanded services for termination of pregnancy under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (“2018 Act”) were introduced from 1 January 2019," a spokesperson stated.

They added that the Health Service Executive (HSE) have meanwhile advised that the recruitment for an "approved consultant post" in Cavan General Hospital is "in process".

The HSE says that all maternity units provide care for women with a complication in pregnancy and where there is a risk to life or health of the woman.

All sites also provide services relating to managing complications arising from termination; appropriate care and supervision for women following a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality, and referral to the appropriate tertiary unit; as well as care and supervision in cases where maternal health/life is at risk.

See this week's newspaper for full report.