Expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies are being transferred from Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH ) as investigations continue into maternity care standards.
Five external reviews into care at PUH have been completed, with seven more underway or due to begin. Families have received the findings and are being offered meetings to discuss results and next steps.
The reviews follow previous investigations, including the 2018 Walker Report covering 18 cases, another review covering eight cases between 2019-2023, and the current review of nine cases. Around 35 maternity cases have required investigation since 2008. In several cases, the babies experienced hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE ), a medical term referring to reduced blood flow around the brain at the time of their births.
Although carried out individually, the five recent reviews highlighted common concerns around communication, governance, clinical care, leadership and clinical governance, and infrastructure. Similar issues were first raised in the Walker Report, which also noted concerns about “reliance on locum consultants, communication and timely recognition of deteriorating clinical situations”.
Despite changes following the Walker Report, the HSE says the 2024 reviews identified similar issues, prompting preventative action for high-risk expectant mothers.
High-risk pregnancies
While transfer pathways already exist for high-risk pregnancies to Galway University Hospital (GUH ), PUH’s implementation team will expand this to other groups of higher-risk women. These patients will have their care moved to GUH or the hospital of their choice.
Factors contributing to high-risk pregnancies include previous loss of a baby, significant medical disease, massive obstetric haemorrhage, obesity, maternal age, and likelihood of delivering before 35 weeks.
Dr Pat Nash, Regional Clinical Director, HSE West and North West, said, “We are fully committed to implementing the recommendations laid out in the five reviews and will take all steps necessary to ensure we are providing the best care possible to the women and babies receiving care at our hospital. Much of this work is well advanced through the work of the external management team and Women’s & Children’s Network.”
Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, HSE West and North West, added, “The management team appointed in January to oversee and manage maternity services in Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH ) remains in place and are working on a programme of improvements, many of which relate to the recommendations. Our focus remains on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of women and their babies.”
Dr Cliona Murphy, National Women’s and Infants Programme, said, “The National Women and Infants Health Programme welcome the publication of the five reviews today. We note that some of the commentary in the summary report relates to the challenges that are faced by the regional maternity services.”
Women attending PUH with questions can contact the HSE on 1800 807 008 for follow-up support.
