Independent Councillor Dr Evelyn Parsons has said that the State’s own maternity data leaves no credible, evidence-based case for the proposed downgrading of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH ), and that national scrutiny is now unavoidable.
Cllr Dr Parsons was speaking following the publication of the National Maternity Experience Survey, the State’s independently commissioned instrument designed to ensure women’s voices directly inform maternity policy and service planning.
The National Maternity Experience Survey is the State’s independently commissioned instrument, designed to ensure women’s voices directly inform maternity policy and service planning. Its findings show that PUH performs above the national average across almost every measured domain of maternity care, including antenatal care, labour and birth, postnatal care, infant feeding support, neonatal care and overall experience. Within the Saolta Hospital Group, PUH ranks consistently among the strongest performers.
The survey shows that Portiuncula University Hospital performs above the national average across almost every measured domain of maternity care, including antenatal care, labour and birth, postnatal care, infant feeding support, neonatal care and overall experience. Within the Saolta Hospital Group, PUH ranks consistently among the strongest performers.
“These are not opinions, and they are not anecdotal,” Cllr Dr Parsons said. “This is the State’s own independently commissioned survey. When data of this quality shows a maternity unit performing above national standards, it must be taken seriously.”
She said it is particularly important to note that the survey reflects care delivered during February and March 2025, prior to the completion of any reviews and before the implementation of any further service changes at PUH.
“This means the results reflect routine, real-world care — not post-review improvements or corrective interventions,” she said.
Cllr Parsons said she has repeatedly called on the HSE to provide the objective medical evidence, clinical data and formal risk assessments that underpin the decision and rationale to downgrade maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital, including clarity on where this decision originated. To date, no such evidence or risk assessments have been produced or published.
She said the absence of this material is critical when set against the State’s own performance data.
Cllr Parsons also stressed that the findings are consistent over time, and not a one-off result.
“This is not a ‘flash in the pan’. Portiuncula University Hospital also performed above national averages and ranked among the top units within the Saolta group in the 2020 National Maternity Experience Survey. Two independent State surveys, five years apart, show sustained high performance. That matters.”
She said the survey results fundamentally alter the context in which any proposal to downgrade services must now be assessed.
“When a maternity unit is demonstrably outperforming national benchmarks and ranking among the best in its hospital group, the burden of proof lies entirely with those proposing to reduce services. The evidence base, the clinical rationale and the risk assessments for such a decision must be published and examined.”
Cllr Parsons emphasised that mother-and-baby safety must remain the central consideration in any maternity policy decision.
“It is essential to say clearly that every adverse outcome matters. Families who have experienced trauma, loss or harm — whether at Portiuncula or at any maternity unit — deserve compassion, honesty and learning. Nothing in this discussion diminishes their experiences. Their voices must inform improvement and accountability.”
She added that acknowledging those experiences does not negate the obligation to rely on evidence.
“Respecting families who have suffered harm means being rigorous about distinguishing between individual clinical events and wider systemic performance, and ensuring that decisions are driven by facts, transparency and learning — not assumption.”
Cllr Parsons said the issue has now moved beyond local concern.
“Women and families across eight counties in the Midlands and West depend on access to safe, high-quality maternity care. This is now a national matter of equity, transparency and access. The Minister for Health, the Department of Health and the HSE must engage openly with this data, pause any downgrade, and commit to properly resourcing maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital.”
“On the State’s own evidence, reducing services at one of Ireland’s strongest maternity units makes no sense. Decisions of this scale must be grounded in facts, transparency and proper investment — always with the safety of mothers and babies at the centre, said Cllr Parsons
