Confidential report suggests downgrading Ballinasloe maternity services

Fianna Fáil claims that the Government still plans to dismantle obstetrician-led maternity services in the West North West region after the elections.

Senator Marc Mac Sharry says a HSE confidential report which he has seen confirms that the HSE is strongly considering dramatically downgrading maternity services at Sligo General, Mayo General and Portiuncula.

Senator Mac Sharry said, 'This confirms that the fears I first raised in February were justified. At the time, the HSE denied that this report existed and subsequently had to withdraw that claim.

'There are reports that plans are already underway to shut down the maternity unit at Portiuncula as soon as the local and European elections are over, and transfer patients to UHG. For the Government to keep this major change to our local health services a secret until after polling day is deeply cynical and deeply unfair to expectant mothers who are due their babies at Portiuncula very soon.

'At a time when we’ve seen a number of tragedies in maternity services and questions over the quality of care at certain centres, I fully support the need for investment in maternity and neo natal services across the country.