Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

RTÉ received 31 complaints about a mannequin giving birth on the Late Late Show

The simulator is used by RCSI medical students to prepare them for the real-life labour ward.

RTÉ RECEIVED over 30 complaints about a birthing simulation robot which appeared on the show on Friday night.

The mannequin – called Lucina – ‘gave birth’ to a ‘baby’ live on the show, while being coached by tutor and specialist registrar Catherine Finnegan and medical student Ciara Malone from the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI).

There was some surprise about the use of the simulator on the show, with confusion expressed on Twitter:

RTÉ confirmed today it received 31 formal complaints to date about the mannequin.

During the segment, Master of the Rotunda Hospital, Professor Fergal Malone, told the show that the simulation mannequin “is the future” and helps the students be prepared before they move to the maternity hospital.

Lucina featured in this TheJournal.ie video from 2017:

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

AIMS (the Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services Ireland) released a statement today calling for RTÉ to apologise for the segment. 

“There are so many things wrong here it’s hard to know where to begin,” said AIMS. “But let us start with the recent coverage of birth trauma on RTE Radio’s Liveline programme. In an unprecedented move, and due to the sheer volume of calls, Liveline aired the stories of people all over Ireland over 7 days…

“Then, only weeks later, the same broadcaster, RTE, decides to depict this very same style of birth ‘management’ as ‘entertainment’ on a prime time entertainment show.”

They added: 

“Doctors (and midwives) of course need to learn the mechanics of the seven Cardinal movements of birth in educational spaces, but to extend the use of a dummy beyond pure mechanics and imply that the dummy can actually be interacted with via conversation and instruction introduces the concept of a woman as a passive passenger in her birth, and as such is completely inappropriate, unacceptable and educationally counterproductive.”

RTÉ said it was not commenting on AIMS call for an apology. 

- Additional reporting by Conor McCrave

Close
93 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Biddulph
    Favourite Alan Biddulph
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 5:50 PM

    That mannequin was the best guest they had on for years, best mannequin since Pat Kenny even.

    1173
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Quentin Moriarty
    Favourite Quentin Moriarty
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 5:59 PM

    @Alan Biddulph: Ryan for once couldn’t get a word in edgeways .

    134
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 19th 2019, 6:44 AM

    @Alan Biddulph: a good tip for the next FG leader, it has a warmer personality than Edna Kenny and Leo Verucca combined

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
    Favourite Daithi Ó Raghallaigh
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 5:50 PM

    What! they couldn’t find the remote control to switch it off or they needed to see it all for the accuracy of the complainant letter.

    336
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 19th 2019, 6:46 AM

    @Daithi Ó Raghallaigh: complainant thought babies came from under a cabbage leaf, must have been a big shock for them!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jake Kelly
    Favourite Jake Kelly
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:22 PM

    Watching that was sad but I think taking the time out of your life to write or type up a complaint is even more sad honestly

    243
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matt Connolly
    Favourite Matt Connolly
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 11:31 PM

    @Jake Kelly: like taking the time to complain about people complaining…. Or worse, complaining about people complaining about people complaining… Aaaahh.

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jake Kelly
    Favourite Jake Kelly
    Report
    May 14th 2019, 12:26 AM

    @Matt Connolly: complaining about people complaining about people complaining is itself even worse

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter McGlynn
    Favourite Peter McGlynn
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 5:48 PM

    A show for dummies anyway.

    355
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shane Murphy
    Favourite Shane Murphy
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 5:53 PM

    The irony. The mannequin is a useless do nothing and appeared for free. Unlike the rest of the overpaid, no talent , “rte stars”!

    285
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James Wallace
    Favourite James Wallace
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:29 PM

    @Shane Murphy: the mannequin will be on the payroll now until retirement, unless Newstalk come in with a better deal. After all, they made a plank an offer he couldn’t refuse.

    111
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute james boylan
    Favourite james boylan
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:03 PM

    @James Wallace:
    Well since Pat went to Newstalk, it’s been Rte making the higher offers to Newstalk presenters, especially the female ones, and then giving out that Newstalk don’t have as many main female presenters as RTÉ, lol.

    18
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Coveney
    Favourite Stephen Coveney
    Report
    May 14th 2019, 4:24 AM

    @Shane Murphy: boring repetitive comment.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Edward
    Favourite Declan Edward
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 5:43 PM

    Ah come on

    186
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul kelly
    Favourite paul kelly
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:22 PM

    Did 31 people actually watch it?

    177
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Sexton
    Favourite Ronan Sexton
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:02 PM

    The entire viewing audience of this embarassing show took the time out of their obviously empty lives to complain? Well, I never….

    132
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John O'Brien
    Favourite John O'Brien
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 5:58 PM

    Now I know we’re Chucky came from!

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adam Gibson
    Favourite Adam Gibson
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:55 PM

    Couldn’t have been as bad as the country and west one surely

    67
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Kavanagh
    Favourite Michael Kavanagh
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 11:23 PM

    @Adam Gibson:
    True.
    That was purty terrible.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sean Ryan
    Favourite Sean Ryan
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:30 PM

    Lucina should host it in future. Imagine the toy show.

    68
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pl O'neill
    Favourite Pl O'neill
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:50 PM

    Could they do an Impregnation ?

    I kinda have forgotten some of the basics of the Horizontal Dance .

    How does it go again ?

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Donoghue
    Favourite Tony Donoghue
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:01 PM

    @Pl O’neill: try a search engine and you might find a few billion examples to view

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 19th 2019, 6:50 AM

    @Pl O’neill: nearly made me choke on my toast reading this, absolutely brilliant!!!!

    1
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 19th 2019, 6:50 AM

    @Tony Donoghue: we have an expert here!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Edward Ucator
    Favourite Edward Ucator
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:24 PM

    30/400000 * 100 = 0.0075% of the viewership complained. Negligible.

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billy Nomates
    Favourite Billy Nomates
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:30 PM

    @Edward Ucator: I don’t know what’s worse, the 30 people who complained or the 400,000 viewership figure!

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brian mclaughlin
    Favourite brian mclaughlin
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:00 PM

    @Billy Nomates: Who told you about the viewership fig
    ures

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Breathnach
    Favourite Ian Breathnach
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:33 PM

    31 sados with fk all else to be doing with their lives.

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ter
    Favourite Ter
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 7:52 PM

    Do we know if Lucina is on tinder asking for a friend?

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute liam ward60
    Favourite liam ward60
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 5:53 PM

    Not in the habit of wasting my time on dummies TV shows anyway

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Donoghue
    Favourite Tony Donoghue
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:03 PM

    @liam ward60: it’s not ad free Liam

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Conway
    Favourite Martin Conway
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:19 PM

    Amazing anyone complained seen as Ireland is supposedly ”sexually liberated”.

    The only complaint I had was that the dummy was the best guest since Peter Sellers.

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hank Kingsley
    Favourite Hank Kingsley
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:56 PM

    The Journal.ie only took one hour to delete my comment. Some commenters here reporting my comment are worse than the 31 who complained about a plastic fanny on the telly.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Ryan
    Favourite Johnny Ryan
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 7:07 PM

    @Hank Kingsley: madness. They can’t take a joke especially that Fallon fella

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RJ.Fallon
    Favourite RJ.Fallon
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:31 PM

    @Johnny Ryan: Oi, watch it,watch it.!

    5
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Ryan
    Favourite Johnny Ryan
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:43 PM

    @RJ.Fallon: just joking man

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hank Kingsley
    Favourite Hank Kingsley
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:52 PM

    @RJ.Fallon: Disgusting comment.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RJ.Fallon
    Favourite RJ.Fallon
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:54 PM

    @Johnny Ryan: I know

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Craig Ferguson
    Favourite Craig Ferguson
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:10 PM

    Think I know the father

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FartyTowels
    Favourite FartyTowels
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:28 PM

    31 complaints. One for everyone in the audience…. Boom boom

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trudi Morrissey
    Favourite Trudi Morrissey
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:04 PM

    How did people manage to produce babies for thousands of years without all this.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sarah
    Favourite Sarah
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:20 PM

    @Trudi Morrissey: They did. But most of them died.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute William Tallon
    Favourite William Tallon
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 7:02 PM

    Now available from RTE Publications – ‘Childbirth For Dummies’

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Conway
    Favourite Martin Conway
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 6:56 PM

    Ffs have we all become so sad that we are now complaining about a dummy

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 19th 2019, 6:53 AM

    @Martin Conway: we have had plenty of practise complaining about Leo for ages….

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 7:36 PM

    a new RTE star is born.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sarah
    Favourite Sarah
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:20 PM

    @thesaltyurchin: Nah, too much charisma.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jims - TechBuzz Ireland
    Favourite Jims - TechBuzz Ireland
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 7:18 PM

    Snowflakes

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Dunne
    Favourite John Dunne
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 11:25 PM

    The fact there is a real “scenario and emergency” mannequin which allows doctors and nurses train for emergencies when they arise (so that they are prepared when it most unfortunately happens in real life) is to be encouraged. Bare in mind, students learn the cardinal moments in theory, and simulated practice (but you can’t prepare fully without being thrust into a panic situation) and being put through every emergency situation so that when it happens in real life- the outcomes for the mother and baby are (hopefully) significantly better. This is a model of future
    learning which assists in the practical aspect
    Of learning which works in tandem with books and theory

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Hammond
    Favourite Dave Hammond
    Report
    May 14th 2019, 12:25 PM

    @John Dunne: maybe the issue is that rte are confused about what shows are entertainment and what are issues that should perhaps be covered in other program segments – they seemingly always want to try “mix” it all up in the late late – often wheeling out sad tragic stories at inappropriate time ( last thing friday night as people try start the weekend unwinding with a glass of wine or whatever and they slot in the most irrelevant items for the programming – contrast graham norton show which is entertainment good bad and indifferent and you can see where RTE need to relook at how they are programming the late late show – badly needs to be updated

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lisa Whelan
    Favourite Lisa Whelan
    Report
    May 14th 2019, 4:25 AM

    It’s not about equality. People were upset that following the recent national outcry in Joe Duffy about how poorly so many pregnant women are treated when giving birth (many physically and mentally scarred) that the national broadcaster, rather than having a genuine conversation about it – air a segment featuring a mannequin & refer to it as ‘the future’. I’m sure it has its uses in terms of learning but the priority right now should be listening to the pregnant person & centering communication & informed consent around them. It’s avoiding the real issue & insensitive timing. Basically.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bhiniáimin Ó Beith
    Favourite Bhiniáimin Ó Beith
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 11:10 PM

    I’m surprised that at least 30 people decided to watch the late late show because I don’t know a single person that does.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vonnie
    Favourite Vonnie
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 11:14 PM

    @Bhiniáimin Ó Beith: Plenty do!!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Sheridan
    Favourite Niall Sheridan
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 7:50 PM

    30 odd people with nothing better to do. Bit of nearest possible to real life on RTE. So what?!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lydia McLoughlin
    Favourite Lydia McLoughlin
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:09 PM

    Watching birthing videos would be more beneficial than this… and seriously featuring on the Late Late (not on late enough BTW)!! If students have survived this long they’ll continue to survive – one ‘real’ birth will solve that, laughable I feel.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute popeye Doyle
    Favourite popeye Doyle
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 7:05 PM

    The late late is the best show in the world….

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jim Cunningham
    Favourite Jim Cunningham
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 7:31 PM

    @popeye Doyle: That’s a bit general a statement,isn’t it? Very good generally, but not always the best in the world.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute tommytukamomo
    Favourite tommytukamomo
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:36 PM

    @popeye Doyle: You’re world maybe ;)

    9
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Cahill
    Favourite Rob Cahill
    Report
    May 14th 2019, 10:04 AM

    @Jim Cunningham: Never even close to best in Ireland FFS.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lobert Rester
    Favourite Lobert Rester
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:08 PM

    In fairness,RTE produces much worse than that.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gill Dempsey
    Favourite Gill Dempsey
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:43 PM

    Midwife’s don’t like to be called nurses Dr!!!!!!

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aine O Connor
    Favourite Aine O Connor
    Report
    May 14th 2019, 12:04 AM

    First Aid classes use models like this all the time to demonstrate what to do in an emergency eg if someone has a heart attack or is rescued from drowning. So what is the big deal.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Doherty
    Favourite Richard Doherty
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 7:18 PM

    Lucina was great guests should be on fair city east enders corrie might liven them up

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ananya Sharma
    Favourite Ananya Sharma
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:14 PM

    Where can i buy one?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    May 19th 2019, 6:56 AM

    @Ananya Sharma: Hector Grey used to sell a cheaper version years ago

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute wishiwassatoshi
    Favourite wishiwassatoshi
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:00 PM

    What is all this fuzz with gender equality ? Very soon women will not be allowed to get pregnant because guys can’t,for the purpose of education this was not a bad simulation as maybe some of the people from audience may have to aid delivery of a baby at some point in their life.
    Some people doesn’t have noting better to do with their time and life’s and complain about every thing

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MickN
    Favourite MickN
    Report
    May 14th 2019, 11:16 AM

    This show needs a revamp unbelievably poor every week..

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute joe kelly
    Favourite joe kelly
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 8:02 PM

    O God I’m bored.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute WreckDefier
    Favourite WreckDefier
    Report
    May 14th 2019, 3:37 PM

    Ryan’s Love child, a dummy

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute anthony o cathain
    Favourite anthony o cathain
    Report
    May 14th 2019, 4:37 PM

    AHH ..LOOK AT DA LIKKLE BABY ..!

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seanboy
    Favourite Seanboy
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 11:49 PM
    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joseph Molloy
    Favourite Joseph Molloy
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 9:33 PM

    What’s wrong with moaners. They give out if two flies sh+t on TV. They be moaningg if it was real women

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Flannery
    Favourite Jane Flannery
    Report
    May 13th 2019, 7:11 PM

    I found the piece involving the mannequin very interesting and informative. I am a woman who has given birth. The technology depicted a normal delivery. I want to express my support for its inclusion.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel