The Health Service Executive (HSE) yesterday defended its handling of admissions at the new Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) after an expectant mother complained she was left waiting for seven hours in a waiting room because there were no beds available in the labour ward.
The HSE said last Friday, the day that Sarah Long was kept waiting for a bed in the labour ward, was particularly busy at the hospital, with some 30 babies being born, compared with an average daily birth rate of 21 babies.
"We have been particularly busy since we opened and this seemed to peak on Friday, April 13th, and Saturday, April 14th. However, services have since reverted to what is a more average level of activity," said Prof John Higgins, consultant of obstetrics and gynaecology at the hospital.
"All those who present with contractions are seen in the admission room and are appropriately assessed by medical or midwifery staff, and expectant mothers that are not in established labour are given the option to return home," said the HSE in a statement. Some 128 beds were opened on March 31st in line with the staffing levels agreed to safely open the hospital - the same number of beds available within the maternity services at the Erinville, St Finbarr's and Bon Secours hospitals prior to amalgamation, said the HSE.
The remaining beds at the 150-bed hospital, including some 14 catering for post-natal and antenatal patients, will be opened as additional staff are recruited, said the HSE. The 150 beds include 118 maternity beds, 26 gynaecological beds and six high-dependency beds.
The opening of the CUMH was delayed by a week due to a dispute between the HSE and the INO over staffing levels, with agreement reached to open 128 beds with 315 midwives and nurses and a commitment to ramp up numbers to the recommended figure of 375.