Dublin maternity hospitals to relocate

A MAJOR shake-up of maternity services in the Dublin area, which will see the three main maternity hospitals moved from their current sites, is planned, the Health Service Executive has confirmed.

Services currently delivered at the Rotunda Hospital will be moved to the Mater site. Services at the Coombe Women and Infants’ University Hospital are to be moved to the Adelaide and Meath Hospital in Tallaght. Services at the National Maternity Hospital in Holles Street are to be moved to St Vincent’s hospital.

The moves “will be underpinned through significant developments within the overall maternity services provided both at the hospital sites, but also within communities in HSE primary care and health centres”, said a HSE statement last night.

The planned moves are recommended in a report published yesterday entitled Independent Review of Maternity and Gynaecology Services in the Greater Dublin Area.

In its statement accompanying its publication, the HSE said the review “reflects that Dublin’s current model of stand-alone maternity hospitals is not the norm internationally”.

“It is well recognised that for the optimal outcomes maternity services should be located with adult acute services. This allows the mother to access the full range of medical and support services should the need arise for, for example, cardiac and vascular surgery, diabetes services, intensive care facilities, haematology services, psychiatric services among others.”

The HSE says that in the case of neonatology and foetal/maternal medicine intervention, locating services with adult and paediatric services is advised.

“This document supports the provision of maternity services with immediate access to paediatric services on-site when complex foetal or neonatal surgery and interventions are required.”

The HSE said the review acknowledges that current services restrict expectant mothers’ choices in terms of the type and location of birth.

“International evidence indicates women want a broader choice of services,” said the statement, “that includes a more socially integrated model of care.”

It said it is “obvious” there is significant potential for midwives to play a more prominent role in obstetrics. Co-located midwife-led units are common in the UK and elsewhere, it said.

There are currently two in operation in Ireland – in the northeast, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital and in Cavan hospital.

“The expansion of such units is crucial for the development of maternity services and will offer more choice to women in Dublin.”

Fionnuala Duffy, assistant national director of planning at the National Hospitals Office, said it was crucial that women were involved in planning maternity and gynaecology services.

The publication of the report, said the HSE, followed a “significant engagement and consultation with the main organisations and representative groups involved in the delivery of maternity and related services across the Dublin area”.