Supporting Roma mothers during pregnancy and childbirth is of vital importance to the HSE. Many Roma women do not come forward for health checks early in their pregnancies due to a lack of awareness about the Irish healthcare system.

In 2021, to help marginalised women  (including those from Roma communities) access maternity services, HSE Inclusion Health Social Work positions were introduced on a pilot basis at maternity hospital sites across Dublin, including the Rotunda Hospital, National Maternity Hospital, and the Coombe Hospital. In May 2023, the Rotunda Hospital Inclusion Health team introduced Ireland's first Inclusion Health Midwife.

Learn more about the work of the Inclusion Health Midwife Carol and the Inclusion Health Senior Social worker Laura here

Watch on YouTube how the Inclusion Health Service works in the Rotunda here