Non-nationals accounted for more than 20 per cent of births at Dublin's Coombe Hospital last year, pushing the maternity rate to its highest level in over 30 years.
In a statement today, the largest maternity hospital in the State said 7,848 babies were born there last year, the highest number since 1972. Twenty-two per cent of all deliveries were to non-nationals. A spokeswoman for the hospital said changes to the areas served by the hospital and other "demographic changes" contributed to the increased rate of births.
The statement added that 5,054 patients underwent gynaecological surgery at the Coombe.
Master of the Coombe, Dr Sean Daly, said that despite the record level of births, putting on additional beds to meet demand was not a frequent occurrence.
"However as demand for both maternity and gynaecology services continue to grow, we look forward to the development of a new wing to the hospital which is at the initial design and planning stages. It will be greatly welcomed by both staff and patients alike" said Dr Daly.
No maternal deaths were recorded in the hospital in 2003.
The Coombe serves an estimated population of 515,500 in southwest Dublin city, south Co Dublin, south Co Kildare and west Co Wicklow.
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