The HSE is not currently planning for the full restoration of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital.

That’s what members of Regional Health Forum West were told on Tuesday as they sought clarity and reassurance on the decision in summer to transfer high-risk pregnancies from the Ballinasloe hospital to University Hospital Galway (UHG) mainly, and to other maternity units across the country.

Amid questions as to the safety of transferring patients from up to eight counties to the already over-stretched maternity unit in Galway, Regional Executive officer for HSE West and North West, Tony Canavan, determined it was “what’s right in the interest of safety for mothers and babies”.

“We’re not planning the reinstatement at this time. That’s not me saying it could never happen but what I’m saying is our focus is on making sure that we deliver safe care today and that we take appropriate steps today to deliver safe care.

“Our planning and our focus is around trying to ensure that we get that risk right in terms of the cases that are going to transfer to other hospitals – mainly to GUH,” said Mr Canavan.

Ballinasloe-based Councillor Evelyn Parsons (Ind), who has been leading a campaign to resist the downgrading of maternity services at Portiuncula, demanded confirmation that a risk assessment had been carried out on the impact of the move on mothers and babies – and on the hospitals to which they will be transferred.

She also sought clarity on how the ‘band’ of higher-risk pregnancies was to be determined, and by whom.

Cllr Parsons, who is a GP, said it remained unclear who would decide which pregnancies would need to be transferred, and if moving them to UHG would be any safer.

“I’m looking for the evidence base that underpins the decision to downgrade. We don’t have that evidence available for scrutiny,” she said.

Caption: Battling on… protestors out in droves on the streets of Ballinasloe last August to demand a full restoration of maternity services.

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