5th February 2021 For Immediate Release ICGP supports efforts to achieve better health resources for survivors of Mother and Baby Homes in Ireland.
The Irish College of General Practitioners has responded to the publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes.
The President of the ICGP, Dr Margaret O’Riordan, said: “Most of us as GPs have patients who were part of Ireland’s institutionalised response to their care either as mothers or as children. Many have been scarred by their experiences in their important early years. As family doctors we are in a position to bear witness to their ongoing suffering. We support efforts to achieve better resources for their health including medical cards for those who don’t have any.
She added: “ We are issuing this statement in solidarity with the women and their children and to let them know we are always ready to continue our support.”
The Vice-President of the ICGP, Dr Tom O’Dowd, said: “The report makes for harrowing reading.”
He added: “The Final Report shows the very high death rate in the first year of life in Irish Mother and Baby Homes, which is among the most disquieting feature of these institutions. At one period it was almost twice that of the national average for other children. A total of about 9,000 children died in the institutions under investigation – about 15% of all the children who were in the institutions.” ENDS
ISSUED BY: Aileen O’Meara, Communications Consultant, Irish College of General Practitioners.
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