Independent midwife Philomena Canning, who is seriously ill with terminal cancer, has settled her case with the HSE.
Making the announcement on her Facebook page, Canning said it was ‘a day of vindication for her.’
The 59-year-old has ovarian cancer and just weeks left to live.
She has a case outstanding with the HSE over the withdrawal of her indemnity insurance to practise as a midwife in 2014.
Ms Canning worked as an independent midwife for over three decades and attended over 500 home births in Ireland.
In a statement, Canning said: “I am pleased to say that my case against the HSE has been settled to my satisfaction.
“This is a day of vindication for me – the first day in almost four-and-a-half years where I have woken without a shadow over me: the shadow of having been wronged.
“It is a relief to wake in the knowledge that I do not have to fight any more: for my livelihood, my good name, my vocation. I have the peace of mind I longed for.”
Canning explained her relief that the fight had come to close, but described her sadness that her long-held ambition may never be realised.
“But there is sadness too. I know that my long-held ambition of bringing birth centres to the women of Ireland may never be realised. But I also know that as the shadow over me lifts, new light is emerging. Fresh energy is rising up. Other dedicated, passionate and skilled midwives will take up the mantle and make it happen. Please know that I will never be far from you in spirit.
“For myself, I know that in time, the full facts behind my unlawful suspension by the HSE on 12 September 2014 will emerge. When this happens, it will be for the better of the health and safety of women in home birth in Ireland. Then, I will be able to rest fully easy.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has given me such love and support over the past week since I went public on my situation. It was not something I would have wished to do, yet I realised that it was my only hope for reaching a settlement with the HSE. Your strength and fight on my behalf has kept me strong when I was at my weakest.
“I would like to thank my family – my incredible siblings who have been here for me every step of the way – Mairead, Mary, Noel, James, Anne Collette, Malachy and Oonagh – my beautiful nieces and nephews, my in-laws and wider family.
“I would like to thank my dear friend Olive Fitzpatrick and all my other friends who have held me when I needed holding and encouraged me when I needed courage – you know who you are, and I’ll be forever grateful to you.
“I would like to offer special thanks to the woman who has been an angel at my side over the past four-and-a-half years – Ciara Considine. I don’t know what I can say to reflect what you’ve meant to me, Ciara. It has been a privilege to have you in my life and I can honestly say that I would not be here without you. I can not ever thank you enough for the gift of your friendship, your trust, your courage and your ability to always know how to act in my best interests. I love you deeply.
“I would like to thank my legal team who have worked hard on my case over the past years – Patrick Cunningham, solicitor, Eanna Molloy SC and Tim Dixon, JC.
“I would like to thank journalist Michael Clifford for his integrity, intelligence and ability to see into the heart of the matter, and also Moya Nolan, photographer and videographer with the Irish Examiner whose kindness, talent and time are deeply appreciated.
“I would like to thank deeply my oncologist Dr David Fennelly and all the incredible nurses, the medical staff and all the other staff at St Vincent’s Private, who have looked after me with unending dedication, care and expertise.
“Finally, I want to say to every pregnant woman out there, and every woman who wishes to be: you have within you the great gift of creation.
“Therein lies enormous power and potential. Aeons of time and tides have pushed against your centre of power – sometimes gently, sometimes not.
“Only woman can have dominion over birth, yet she is made battle continuously to guard her territory, or to gain access to it.
“Every woman has the right to be supported by her healthcare providers in the birth of her choosing – just as she has the best interests of her baby at heart.
“Your inner compass will show you the way. Look to it. Listen to your intuition. Sit in the centre of your courage: fear may be part of the journey but courage will overcome it every time.
“And please listen to my words. You were born to do this. You were born to do this.”
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