A Galway hospital is under review following concerns over the quality of its maternity unit care.
The HSE has launched a review into Portiuncula University Hospital in Galway following two stillbirths in 2023 and nine babies born with brain damage over two years.
Environment and science editor of The Irish Times Kevin O’Sullivan told Newstalk Breakfast that this is a “really significant development”.
“It follows a series of other reviews in previous years because of difficulties at the maternity unit,” he said.
“The particular cases are really looking at a condition known as HIE [Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy] - this is where there’s a reduction in blood flow or oxygen to the baby’s brain during, before or after birth.
“This requires them to undergo a procedure known as therapeutic hypothermia where they are cooled in an effort to stabilise the condition.
“The issue in relation to this particular hospital and this particular maternity unity in Ballinasloe is that there’s been such a high number of these cases.”
Mother Care. Unrecognizable mom holding newborn baby on her lap, Alamy.According to Mr O’Sullivan, an obstetrician consultant from Limerick University Hospital has taken over management of the unit until the review is completed.
Additional staff have also been appointed, including a senior midwife and a senior manager.
Multiple reviews
Mr O’Sullivan said the hospital has undergone multiple reviews in recent years.
“A report in 2018 examined the case of 18 babies at the hospital and it identified multiple serious failures including staff issues, lack of training and poor communication," he said
“Now, the HSE says that they responded to all the recommendations and implemented all of these.
"Then, unfortunately, more cases arose between 2019 and 2023 – now this is separate to the review announced yesterday.
“There were eight cases that had to be reviewed in that case and six of the babies involved had to undergo neonatal cooling.”
Mr O’Sullivan said it is a “worrying time” for people attending the hospital, but said the HSE have reassured that services will continue as normal.
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Main image: Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe, County Galway. Photo: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie. 8/1/2021.
