A modern labour room in Sligo University Hospital which cost the HSE around €100,000 is rarely used.
That's according to The Journal Investigates which revealed that, despite being the only delivery suite in the hospital which complies with modern infrastrucutre guidelines, the Suimhneas Room has rarely been used since its completion two-years ago.
The room is part of the HSE's rollout of home-from-home delivery units, which are a priority in the National Maternity Strategy to offer less medicalised birth options.
It is the only labour room in the hospital that includes an ensuite, and is also equipped with a €15,000 water birth pool, sound system and mats for labouring on the floor.
The hospital does not offer waterbirths, so women must exit the pool before the pushing stage of labour.
One staff member reportedly called the rest of the labour ward "archaic".
Sligo University Hospital staff said the room was rarely used due to a fear of litigation and lack of adequate staff, among other things.
Main image: Front entrance of Sligo University Hospital. Image: Piere Bonbon / Alamy. 13 November 2019
