The Health Service Executive have announced a new external review into the care of a woman at Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe, following the death of her baby. This brings the total number of reviews to 10 into the maternity and neonatal services at the hospital.
Previous investigations were conducted between 2008 and 2014, and additional reviews in 2019, 2021, and 2023.
The most recent of these reviews came in January 2025, when concerns were raised as to the high incidence of children suffering from a lack of oxygen at birth, known as Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy, and requiring therapeutic brain cooling. This review is also looking into the stillbirths of two babies born in 2023.
A spokesperson for HSE said an external management team remained in place at the hospital 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,” they said.
“There are a number of independent, external reviews being carried out into the care provided to women and their babies in PUH and we expect a number of these to be completed shortly.”
This news will no doubt cause great concern to women who have gone through the maternity services at the hospital and are currently in receipt of such services. There is no doubt that the systems in place at the hospital are under immense pressure and this can lead to mistakes, sometimes with grave consequences.
Too often with these external reviews, families are not given the chance to engage properly with the services in question and are often left to go elsewhere for answers.
With this latest review, the HSE should ensure that it will engage with parents meaningfully and that they are transparent with the findings, which is no least what the wider public deserve.
If you have concerns about your child’s birth and its relationship to any traumatic injury, you can speak to Sorcha King or one of our other medical negligence solicitors on 091-865000 or by email to info@callantansey.ie, to schedule a consultation.
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