An attempt by the North Eastern Health Board to have insurance cover extended on maternity units at Dundalk and Monaghan beyond the end of this month has failed.
Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd warned the board earlier this year that it would withdraw cover from February 28th at the units in the Louth County Hospital Dundalk and Monaghan General Hospital as consultants at both units felt they were unable to provide a safe level of obstetric service.
The Condon Review Group found that neither site had sufficient births to warrant consultant-led services, which required a minimum of three consultant obstetrician/gynaecologists, three consultant paediatricians and three consultant anaesthetists.
The consultants' view was supported by the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association and the medical adviser to the North Eastern Health Board, Mr Finbar Lennon.
Lobby groups in Dundalk and Monaghan have been campaigning for the retention of the maternity services. Meetings of the health board have twice refused to sanction a recommendation from the chief executive, Mr Paul Robinson, to cease obstetric services at both units on a temporary basis.
Last week the board members mandated Mr Robinson to seek approval for the appointment of temporary consultants at both sites in an attempt to get the insurers to change their stance. The insurers have now stated that last week's decision does not change their earlier decision to withdraw cover.