Campaign Vision
What is "A Year of Care"?
“A Year of Care” is a bold and compassionate vision for maternal health in Ireland. It’s a movement to ensure that every mother receives the physical, emotional, and mental support she needs—not just for six weeks, but for an entire year after childbirth. This campaign is about more than just healthcare; it’s about building a system where no mother feels alone, where her struggles are met with understanding, and where her recovery is prioritised. It’s about empowering mothers to thrive, nurturing families, and creating a foundation for brighter futures. With “A Year of Care,” we aim to make Ireland a leader in post-natal care, proving that when we invest in mothers, we invest in everyone. Together, let’s give every Mother the full year of care they deserve.
Key Elements Of The Campaign
Year-Long Post-Natal Support
Advocate for extending post-natal care to a full year, ensuring mothers have continuous access to health check-ups, mental health support, and physical recovery services throughout the first 12 months after childbirth.
Maternal Mental Health Focus
Prioritise mental health by providing accessible, affordable services for mothers, including therapy, counselling, and peer support groups to address conditions like post-natal depression and anxiety. Call on the government to honor its commitment and take immediate action to establish Ireland’s first Mother and Baby Unit.
Comprehensive Physical Recovery
Ensure mothers receive the physical care they need, from managing pelvic floor issues and healing post-caesarean scars, to breastfeeding support and guidance for ongoing recovery.
Community-Based Support Networks
Establish local hubs and support groups to offer hands-on assistance, provide emotional support, and build a sense of community for new mothers, especially in rural or underserved areas.
Equity and Accessibility
Ensure that all mothers, regardless of their socio-economic background, ethnicity, or geographic location, have equal access to post-natal care services and support.
Education and Awareness
Raise awareness about the importance of comprehensive post-natal care, empowering families to understand what to expect during the first year and how to seek the support they need.
Policy Advocacy and Funding
Lobby for Government investment in maternal care, pushing for policies that secure long-term funding for post-natal services and improved healthcare infrastructure to meet the growing demand.
Family and Partner Involvement
Encourage the inclusion of partners and families in the care process, providing them with the tools and knowledge to support the mother and share in the post-birth journey.
Workplace and Employer Support
Advocate for workplace policies that accommodate the needs of new mothers, including year long maternity leave, flexible working hours, and breastfeeding-friendly environments.
Training for Healthcare Professionals
Advocate for workplace policies that accommodate the needs of new mothers, including extended maternity leave, flexible working hours, and breastfeeding-friendly environments.
National Level Implantation
Extend Post-Natal Care Duration
Extend publicly funded post-natal care services from the current 6 weeks to a full year.
Increase Mental Health Support for Mothers
Allocate dedicated funding for maternal mental health services: Establish a nationwide network of affordable, accessible mental health support, including therapy, counselling, and crisis intervention for post-natal depression and anxiety.
Train healthcare professionals to identify and address maternal mental health issues during and after pregnancy
Comprehensive Physical Recovery Programs
Mandate access to post-natal physiotherapy and rehabilitation services for all mothers. Provide public funding for pelvic floor therapy, cesarean recovery support, and other post-natal physical care.
Include these services as standard in maternity care packages covered by the HSE.
Establish Community-Based Support Hubs
Fund and develop local post-natal care centers across urban and rural areas. Offer breastfeeding support, parenting workshops, peer groups, and drop-in services for new mothers. Ensure hubs are accessible to all, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Expand and Enhance Maternity Leave Policies
Extend paid maternity leave from 26 weeks to 52 weeks, with a portion designated for shared parental leave. Subsidise extended leave for employers through Government support. Ensure flexibility for mothers to return to work gradually.
Improve Coordination Between Services
Create a streamlined, integrated care pathway for mothers transitioning from maternity hospitals to community-based services.
Establish case managers or coordinators to guide mothers through available resources.
Digitise records to ensure continuity of care across different healthcare providers.
Local Level Implantation
Engaging Local Healthcare Providers
Engaging local healthcare providers is essential to ensure comprehensive and accessible post-natal care for all mothers. This involves building strong partnerships with GPs, midwives, and public health nurses to integrate services like mental health screenings, breastfeeding support, and physical recovery programs into routine care. Providing training opportunities on post-natal mental health and recovery ensures they are equipped to identify and address mothers’ needs effectively. By collaborating with community-based providers, the campaign can create a seamless network of support that extends from hospitals to homes, ensuring that every mother receives timely, personalised care throughout her post-natal journey.
Establish & ExpandServices at Post Natal Support Hubs
Post-natal support hubs are vital community resources that provide holistic care for mothers and families. As of January 2025, there are five operational postnatal hubs in Ireland, located in Sligo, Carlow-Kilkenny, Cork, Kerry, and Portiuncula. Plans are underway to expand this network to a total of 13 hubs. Expanding these hubs involves creating accessible spaces where mothers can access mental health support, breastfeeding assistance, physical recovery services, and parenting workshops under one roof at any stage during the first year. By increasing the number of hubs nationwide to one in every county and ensuring they are staffed by trained professionals, these centres can become a cornerstone of post-natal care. Offering flexible hours, outreach programs, and mobile services ensures that even rural or underserved areas benefit, fostering a strong support network for mothers during their most critical first year of care.
Community Outreach Programmes
Community outreach programs are essential for bridging gaps in post-natal care and reaching mothers who may face barriers to accessing traditional services. These programs can include mothers groups, home visits by midwives or nurses, and local parenting support groups. By partnering with schools, community centres, and local organisations, outreach efforts can provide education, resources, and emotional support directly to families in their communities. Tailored initiatives for rural areas, marginalised groups, and vulnerable populations ensure that every mother receives the care and guidance she needs, fostering healthier families and stronger communities.
Partner with Local NGOs & Volunteer Groups
Collaborating with local NGOs and volunteer groups amplifies the impact of post-natal care initiatives by leveraging their grassroots connections and specialised expertise. These organisations can provide valuable support in areas like mental health, parenting education, and peer-to-peer programs. Volunteers can assist with community outreach, organise support groups, and raise awareness about available services. By aligning goals and pooling resources, these partnerships create a united front to address gaps in care, ensure inclusivity, and build a robust support network for mothers and families at both local and national levels.
