Concerns Mount Over Future of Maternity Services at Portiuncula Hospital

A significant lack of clarity surrounds the future of maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, following a recent presentation by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Local Councillor Evelyn Parsons expressed deep concern over the absence of a commitment to restore full maternity services, particularly after the July 2025 decision to transfer higher-risk pregnancies to other facilities.

During the Oireachtas Health Committee meeting, Councillor Parsons stated that there remain “more questions than answers” regarding the transfer of these pregnancies. According to Bernard Gloster, CEO of the HSE, the care provided to twelve women and their infants is currently under review, with five reviews still pending. In his remarks, he noted that two intrauterine deaths in 2023 prompted a reassessment of care, revealing concerns that “may have had an impact on their outcome.”

In 2024, Portiuncula Hospital referred five babies for therapeutic hypothermia, a treatment for hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, a figure that significantly exceeds the national average. Gloster indicated that all review teams are making progress and expect to conclude their assessments by the end of Q1 2026.

To address safety concerns within the maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH), an External Management Team was appointed in January 2025. This team, consisting of a Consultant Obstetrician, a Director of Midwifery, and a General Manager, is tasked with overseeing and improving maternity services. Gloster emphasized that while recommendations from reviews are being implemented, caution remains paramount regarding the types of pregnancies that can be safely managed at this unit.

He acknowledged the distress experienced by women relying on these services and expressed empathy for the local community’s disappointment. In a candid moment, Gloster apologized on behalf of the Health Service to the affected women and their partners, highlighting that acknowledging failures in healthcare is essential for transparency and accountability.

Despite these efforts, Councillor Parsons criticized the lack of a clear plan for reinstating full services at Portiuncula. She raised concerns about the safety of transferring higher-risk pregnancies to already overstretched facilities such as University Hospital Galway and called for evidence supporting this course of action.

“There are still so many questions outstanding,” Parsons remarked. “The single biggest question is if and when we are going to get a plan for full reinstatement of services at Portiuncula. We need a roadmap.” She emphasized that full clarity and transparency are crucial for rebuilding trust in the healthcare system.

As the community awaits further updates, the situation at Portiuncula Hospital underscores the ongoing challenges within maternity services in the region. It remains to be seen how the HSE will navigate these complexities to ensure the safety and well-being of mothers and infants in the future.