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Maternity closure speculation
"unhelpful" - HSE
16.05.14
THE HSE has moved to
dampen "unhelpful and upsetting" speculation about
the potential closure of maternity units in the west
and north west.
Group chief executive of the hospitals in question,
Bill Maher, confirmed that a review of the existing
models of maternity services care is being conducted
at Letterkenny, Sligo, Galway, Mayo and Portiuncula
hospitals.
"To be absolutely clear, no services reconfiguration
options have been recommended to or approved by the
board of West/North West Hospitals Group or by the
senior management of the group," said Mr Maher in a
statement forwarded to Labour election candidates in
the area. |
"Feasibility studies
have not even been carried out and, as stated
previously, speculation at this early stage in the
process is unhelpful and upsetting for patients and
staff.
"At the February board meeting the board welcomed
the first phase of the review and accepted the
short-term recommendations to further develop the
clinical governance structures across the group and
to develop consistent models of care.
"The board also welcomed a discussion on different
service models including midwife-led units
co-located with existing obstetric units and agreed
that staff and public engagement on this would be
included in the second phase of the review." |
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Bill Maher. |
Mr Maher said
consultation with stakeholders was now underway and
the feedback would "inform future decision-making".
"When complete, the review of maternity services for
the West/North West Hospitals Group will be
considered as part of the broader national review of
maternity services - as per the HIQA recommendations
- which will be led by the Department of Health with
input from the HSE," he added. |
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