Dublin’s three main maternity units should be shut down and relocated next to the capital’s main hospitals, a consultants’ report on maternity services in the Greater Dublin area has recommended.
The report, carried out by KPMG Consultants and published today by the Health Service Executive, said pressure on the Rotunda, Coombe and National Maternity Hospital is leading to a significant rise in the risk of serious incidents.
It said the three buildings were inadequate and should be reopened next to the Mater, Tallaght, and St Vincent’s hospitals.
The HSE and management at the three units are meeting on Monday to discuss the proposals.
The HSE said the relocations will take place - but no timescale could be given due to budget constraints after the downturn in the economy.
Dr Sam Coulter-Smith, Master at the Rotunda Hospital, said the report highlighted under-investment in maternity services, which he claimed are under-staffed and under-resourced.
“It also recognises that the buildings in which we work are not adequate for the volume of work coming through,” said Dr Coulter-Smith.
“It is very necessary for the HSE and Department of Health to invest in maternity services.”
The Independent Review of Maternity and Gynaecology Services said the relocations would give mothers access a full range of medical and support services.
The new national children’s hospital - also earmarked for the Mater site - will also be on stand-by when complex foetal or neonatal surgery and interventions are required.
Other measures outlined to enhance care include increasing the number of home births and promoting early transfers home and community midwifery.
“Clearly reform on this scale within the health service in Dublin needs to be implemented in a rigorous and robust manner, with a clear focus on deliverables and realising the benefits we have outlined,” the report stated.
Each of Dublin’s maternity hospitals deliver almost 9,000 babies every year and regularly raised concerns over pressures on current services.
Master of Coombe, Dr Chris Fitzpatrick, said there was an urgent need to rebuild or relocate the hospital.
Dr Michael Robson, Master of the National Maternity Hospital, said the relocation proposals should not be shelved because of the recession.
“The alternative could be more costly,” he added.
“This should not be disregarded. This is something every woman and every family in Ireland deserves.”
The HSE’s Fionnuala Duffy said some provisions have been made in the capital programme for the project, adding management was also looking at innovative ways to raise funds.
“There is also a lot that can be done regarding planning that doesn’t need capital expenditure this year,” said Ms Duffy.
“These three hospitals are on valuable city centre sites which could contribute.There is also very good value for money in capital projects at the moment."
