HSE examines plan to amalgamate Portiuncula’s maternity services with UHG

A controversial report is expected to urge the west’s health chiefs to downgrade the maternity unit of Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe and transfer the services to Galway city.

The Connacht Tribune has learned that the explosive recommendation is one of about 20 proposals contained in a hospitals’ ‘reconfiguration review’, which was commissioned by the West/North West Hospitals Group.

It is understood the report will advocate the ‘amalgamation’ of Portiuncula’s maternity section on a phased basis, with the delivery of babies transferred to University Hospital Galway (UHG).

Portiuncula would retain a ‘midwife-led service’ but its main maternity operation would transfer to Galway.

It is also understood that maternity services at Castlebar would be ‘streamlined’ or ‘amalgamated’, with deliveries transferred to Galway, according to sources close to the review. 

The HSE West insists the review is ongoing and no decision in relation to maternity services has been made yet.

Independent TD Denis Naughten said there are two implications of ‘reconfiguration’, if it goes ahead – it will put health of mothers and babies at risk, he claims, and will also threaten the status of Portiuncula Hospital.

The controversial report, which is still a draft, is set to be discussed at a board meeting of the hospitals’ group in February. It has been ongoing for the past seven or eight months.

Portiuncula has a massive geographic catchment area and is the maternity unit for people living in Westmeath, Longford, Roscommon, Clare, Tipperary, Offaly and Galway.

The downgrading of mental health services at St Brigid’s in the town has already caused sustained local outrage and protest and any attempts to implement the recommendation to reduce the maternity services is likely to meet vociferous resistance also.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.