Further review into Portiuncula after recent baby death
A further external review into maternity care provided at Portiuncula Hospital in Co Galway has begun. It follows the death of a baby at the hospital recently.
In a statement to RTÉ News, the HSE confirmed the latest review and said it brings to ten the number of reviews under way into care provided to women and babies at the hospital.
The HSE said that a number of independent, external reviews are being carried out into the care provided to women and their babies in PUH.
It said that it expects a number of those reviews to be completed shortly and the findings will be shared with the families involved.
In January, the HSE announced external reviews into the delivery of nine babies at Portiuncula University Hospital.
The hospital said that last year seven babies had had hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), resulting in six of them being referred for neonatal hypothermic treatment, also referred to as neonatal cooling.
It added that the previous year two stillbirths occurred at the hospital.
The care provided in relation to those two deliveries is also currently being reviewed externally.
The HSE confirmed there were six babies delivered with HIE in 2024 and one baby with HIE in 2025.
A "highly experienced management team" has been appointed to oversee maternity services at the Galway hospital over the coming months.
The team, led by external consultant obstetrician Dr Mark Skehan, will be responsible for managing and supporting all aspects of maternity and gynaecology and neonatal services.
The HSE said the team will report directly to the HSE West and North West regional management.
"An external management team remains in place in PUH to oversee all elements of maternity and neonatal care. The team are working closely with the Women and Children's Network in the region and the local maternity unit to ensure quality and safety in the service," the HSE added today.
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