AIMS Ireland response to court decision on costs in relation to Aja Teehan vs HSE

(Friday, 6 September 2013) AIMS Ireland today welcomed the decision of Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley to not award costs against Aja Teehan in her High Court case for individual assessment by the HSE in her care pathway for the birth of her baby. This was a public interest case with significant repercussions for women seeking evidence-based maternity care in Ireland.

The public attention of this case has been solely focused on homebirth and has detracted from the real issue of women’s rights to make responsible, informed choices in pregnancy and childbirth. Best practice clearly states that patients should be assessed on an individual basis on their current health, current medical conditions, as well as their previous history. The HSE are not providing women with individual assessment, a fundamental principle in evidence based care.

AIMS Ireland is a volunteer run charity relying solely on the donations of members of the public to fund our work. Our financial situation currently stands at less than €500 to continue to support women and we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the men, women and families who have freely given their time to come out and support Aja Teehan and AIMS Ireland in this landmark case.

AIMS Ireland would like to express our gratitude to Aja Teehan and Charles Brand for taking this landmark case. We wish them the very best in the future and on their upcoming birth.

ENDS