The HSE has assured the public that Portiuncula University Hospital remains safe and fully operational as an external review is launched into the care of nine babies delivered there, including two stillborn infants.
The review covers six deliveries from last year, one from this year, and two stillbirths in 2023. It was revealed that seven babies had Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE), a condition caused by reduced oxygen or blood supply to the brain around the time of birth. Six of those cases required neonatal cooling treatment.
On Tuesday, HSE West and North West Regional Executive Officer Tony Canavan acknowledged public concern but reassured expectant parents.
“We absolutely understand that today’s announcement, and the team that’s going into Portiuncula, creates additional anxiety for people that are hoping to have their babies with us in Portiuncula. But I would say that the hospital is safe, it’s continuing to provide services as normal”.
The team which Canavan referred to in his comments to RTÉ includes a consultant obstetrician, director of midwifery, and senior manager, who have been assigned to work with hospital management to ensure safety.
Canavan noted the hospital had an unexpectedly high rate of referrals for brain injuries last year, with five cases of neonatal cooling and another that “probably should have been”.
He continued: “The incidence was probably six cases for the year. It’s a hospital that had around 1,300 births last year, and we would have expected the rate to be somewhere around one or maybe two cases referred”.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said she was “deeply concerned” about the issues under review.
Speaking on Tuesday, the minister stressed the importance of transparency and timely investigations, acknowledging the trauma for affected families.
She also noted that while recommendations from a 2018 review had been implemented and had stabilised the unit, new concerns arose in 2023 and again last year.
Expectant mothers attending Portiuncula University Hospital are being contacted and anyone with concerns can contact a helpline on 1800 807 008, to arrange follow-up contact from the unit.
