Master of Rotunda Hospital, Professor Fergal Malone to talk challenges facing health service on Late Late Show

Professor Malone will discuss the challenges faced by medical staff and their patients in a health service which is under severe pressure.

He will share his views on how the Irish health system is failing women from those whose cancers may be missed as a result of treatment delays to the pregnant women who must travel abroad if they wish to terminate unviable pregnancies, and what he believes can be done to improve the situation.

The 47-year-old consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist has previously said he believes that terminations in fatal foetal abnormality cases should be allowed.

He revealed that some parents who had travelled to the UK for a termination following a diagnosis of fatal foetal abnormality, had faced the trauma of returning home with their baby's remains in the back of the car or receiving their remains by courier, "in a DHL box".

"We would like to perform the complete care of our patients here at our hospital," he said.

"We see patients who are very troubled and traumatised by this. Day in, day out, we have a challenge around this group and we would like change. We have a very clear position on it."

Professor Malone has also spoken about the lack of adequate services for women with "benign" gynaecological conditions in Dublin and surrounding areas.

Some women with symptoms such as post-menopausal bleeding may have a benign condition but two or three out of 10 may have cancer.

"Patients with benign gynaecological conditions are referred to us from throughout the region," Prof Malone said.

"We are going to be interviewing three new consultant obstetrician gynaecologists early this year to be jointly appointed between the Rotunda and Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown," he said.

The Late Late Show, Friday, RTÉ One at 9.35pm.