HSE to Relocate 200-300 'High-Risk' Pregnancies from PUH

Between 200 and 300 expectant mothers with \"high-risk\" pregnancies will be moved from Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe to other locations, the HSE has said.

The HSE's Regional Clinical Director for West and North West said these patients will be transferred to Galway city or to a \"unit of their choice\".

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Dr Pat Nash said there has been a pathway in place since 2018 for the movement of high-risk pregnancies.

In relation to when services will be reinstated at Portiuncula, he said: \"It is a challenge and it is a problem.\"

\"We're committed to trying to providing a safe service there,\" said Dr Nash.

Dr Nash said it is \"very concerning that we're back with similar issues highlighted to what was from the Walker review in 2018\".

\"Since then, we've had an active programme of oversight and support to the unit and there's been significant investment in the services there,\" he said.

He said that in early 2024 it became apparent that there was an increase in the number of babies being sent for head cooling for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

\"And our response to that was to put an external management team in place, which has been in place since the start of the year to provide further assurance to the women there whilst we conduct the reviews.\"

Dr Nash added they have decided on the \"two extraordinary measures of putting an external management team in place,\" adding that they are addressing issues from these five reviews.

He said that additional capacity is needed and that more theatres are needed there as there is a higher caesarean section rate in higher-risk pregnancies.

The definition of high-risk pregnancy is being broadened to include \"people with larger BMIs, people with medical history and a broader group of women,\" the Clinical Director said.

He added a \"larger national issue about small maternity units\" is something they will \"engage with the national leadership\" about.

Dr Nash said that the HSE West Northwest region covers a third of the country, with the population making up about a sixth of the country.

He said that he is assured that \"other units\" are not seeing anything of acute concern.

\"Our focus I think unfortunately has been on Portiuncula over the last number of years to try and ensure that we that the service is as safe as possible,\" he said.

Dr Nash reassured women that \"we put significant measures in place and continue to do\".

'Disturbing' erosion of services in Portiuncula, says councillor

An Independent councillor and community doctor in Ballinasloe described the erosion of services at the hospital as \"disturbing\".

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Dr Evelyn Parsons said questions remain about what will happen to women requiring post natal services.

She said several mothers have contacted her and that most of them want to have their babies locally but fear services will be downgraded.

Dr Parsons said the element of choice on where women go is not currently clear.

\"Safety of mothers and babies must come first, and in the short term, the safety or women and babies is paramount,\" she said.

However, that safety does not come from pulling services from local hospitals, rather there should be proper investment so the highest standards of care can be delivered close to home, she said.

She said that the need for transfers was a result of underinvestment, and that this was a political decision wrapped in clinical language.

She pointed out that the problems identified were not new, and that it was not acceptable to dilute services further.

She said a full reinstatement of the full suite of services at Portiuncula University Hospital is needed, adding that it is a wide geographical area..

\"It's a huge area to leave unattended,\" she said.

She said that there are people waiting for the review process to take place, and that the uncertainty is distressing for them.

Women attending the maternity unit and who have questions can contact the HSE on 1800 807 008.