Women with higher-risk pregnancies to be transferred from Co Galway hospital
The decision comes amid a number of external reviews into the care provided to women and their babies at Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe.
While five of the reviews have been completed and shared with the families, a further seven reviews are under way or due to commence.
The reviews have been described as covering four common themes of concern, including communication. governance, clinical care, leadership and clinical governance and infrastructure.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) said the care for women with high-risk pregnancies is being transferred to Galway University Hospital (GUH).
It added: 'considering the safety issues highlighted in these reviews, this implementation team will expand this to other groups of higher-risk women whose care will be transferred to GUH or the hospital of their choice.
'Factors which contribute to higher-risk pregnancies include previous loss of a baby, history of significant medical disease, history of massive obstetric haemorrhage, obesity and maternal age.
'Women considered likely to deliver their baby before 35 weeks' pregnancy will also have their care moved.' An implementation team with key stakeholders is being set up to further progress the recommendations from the reviews and any further changes required over the coming months.
Dr Pat Nash, regional clinical director at HSE West and North West, said work is under way on the recommendations.
'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,' he said.
'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 at HSE West and North West, said their focus remains on the safety and wellbeing of women and their babies.
'The management team appointed in January to oversee and manage maternity services in Portiuncula University Hospital remains in place and are working on a programme of improvements, many of which relate to the recommendations,' he said.
'Our focus remains on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of women and their babies.' Dr Cliona Murphy, of the National Women's and Infants Programme, added: '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.
'Currently all maternity services are managed through maternity networks, and the specific issues raised in the summary of the five reviews will form part of the considerations for the successor to the National Maternity Strategy, which is set out in the Programme for Government.'
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