HSE planning to end Maternity Clinics in Dundalk and Navan
Sinn Féin Councillor in Louth Tomás Sharkey has received
confirmation from the HSE that there are plans to end antenatal clinics
for pregnant mothers in Dundalk and Navan hospitals and move them to the
Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
“Ante natal clinics are important
for pregnant mothers and their babies. They are crucial for the proper
screening of the health of both mother and baby. I have spoken with a
number of pregnant women and staff about this cruel news.
“When a
woman is 14-16 weeks, she attends her first maternity clinic in Louth
County Hospital, often with her partner accompanying her. This clinic
is midwife led. The mother’s medical history is recorded, blood tests
taken and a scan is carried out on the womb. In Dundalk these clinics
are held on a Tuesday and 12 mothers are seen on each clinic.
“This
is then followed a few weeks later with a second clinic which is run by
nurses and doctors. A urine sample is taken, the mother’s blood
pressure is checked and the mother has a consultation with the doctor.
Follow up appointments are made for later weeks as the doctor sees fit.
This all takes place on a Wednesday and 50-60 mothers attend on these
days.
“Also on a Wednesday, mothers who plan on giving birth in
the Midwife Led Unit in Drogheda meet the midwife who will support them
at the birth.
“Staff and patients have been hearing rumours of
this cut to services over recent weeks. I received confirmation from the
HSE this week of what is to happen. It is a huge blow to expectant
mothers. Once again the women and children are being punished by cuts in
our health service. Once again, we in the Save Our Hospital Service
Campaign have to do the HSE’s work by uncovering and informing the
public of cuts.
“Moving Dundalk mothers to a clinic in the Lourdes
Hospital will put more pressure on that hospital. A nurse told me that
‘you couldn’t swing a cat’ in the clinic waiting area in Drogheda never
mind send 60 extra pregnant women there. I have yet to quantify how many
mothers will lose out with the cuts in Navan.
“A taxi from
Drogheda to Dundalk will cost an expectant mother €45 and a Navan mother
would face a €35 taxi fare home from an antenatal clinic. This cost
will lead to a dangerous situation where mothers may be forced to choose
not to go to their appointments.
“More than 12 years ago when
the maternity ward was closed down in Dundalk, the community were
promised a midwife led unit in its place. That never came. This new
round of cuts will end the last remains of services for pregnant women
in Dundalk. It is a savage attack on patients and families.
“Minister James Reilly needs to step in and prevent these plans.”
Críoch
