Admissions threat at Limerick hospital denied

Expectant mothers will not be turned away from the Limerick's only public maternity hospital due to staff shortages, the mid-Western Health Board said today.

The health board was responding to a media report this morning that said admissions to the unit on the Ennis Road may have to be capped due to a shortage of consultants.

Earlier today, Limerick-based consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Gerry Burke told RTÉ radio that mothers' access to consultants in the region was among the worst in Ireland and Britain.

He said Limerick had only six consultants for every 4,500 births or one for every 750, despite guidelines from the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology recommending a ratio of one to 500 births.

According to Dr Burke, maternity services in Limerick require another three consultants, additional midwives and a new building. The existing maternity unit is some four miles from the main regional hospital.

But the health board said it has no plans to cap admissions, and that approval was received in the past fortnight for an additional consultant obstetrician, bringing to seven the number of consultants at the hospital.

This would bring the consultant patient ratio at the hospital to one consultant  for every 600 expectant mothers.

A health board spokeswoman said that the Ennis Road hospital had received a €3 million extension, which was due to be completed in the next four months. This would provide additional delivery suites an emergency theatre and reception area.

A new maternity unit on the Mid-Western Regional Hospital campus in Dooradoyle is the long term objective, according to the health board.  This development is expected to cost close to €100 million.