The Health Service Executive (HSE) is conducting an external review of incidents at Portiuncula Hospital, where maternity services have been under scrutiny due to a higher-than-expected number of critical cases. Recent developments include the appointment of a new management team of 'highly experienced' medics. Notably, several cases involved newborns suffering from a reduction in oxygen supply, with six cases requiring head cooling treatment. Communicating with affected families remains a priority, as nine cases are under review to evaluate the hospital's practices and ensure appropriate care for infants.
It's a hospital that had about 1,300 births last year and we would have expected the rate to be somewhere in or around one, or maybe two cases referred last year, but as I say five, and probably six should have been referred last year and that's higher than we would have expected.
All aspects of the care to the infants involved in the incidents are under review. This includes a thorough examination of maternity practices and procedures.
Mr Canavan said the number of incidents that occurred at Portiuncula Hospital was unusually high last year, raising significant concern among hospital officials.
All of the families that are directly impacted by the reviews have been contacted and we've been in discussions with them and we're working that through with them.
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