Councillors echo demands for Minister to answer questions on future of Portiuncula

The call echoed around the Chamber at last week’s meeting, as patients with high-risk pregnancies were being transferred out of Portiuncula.

This follows external reviews commissioned by the HSE after seven incidents of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) in 2024 and early ‘25.

The number of HIE cases at Portiuncula are described as “a matter of concern as it is much higher than expected in the timeframe.”

There are 52 recommendations identified across seven reviews, highlighting recurring issues with communication, governance, clinical care, and infrastructure, echoing concerns first raised in the 2018 Walker report.

Among the recommendations, key measures include transferring high-risk pregnancies to other hospitals.

According to the last update from the HSE, over 600 women booked into Portiuncula were contacted by letter in July advising them of the transfer of higher risk pregnancies.

The expansion of the transfer of higher risk women will be phased over the coming months.

To date, requests by Galway County Councillors to meet with the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, have not been accommodated.

“We cannot sleepwalk into a situation where services are downgraded on paper, with no resources to support them,” said Cllr Evelyn Parsons, Independent Councillor for the Ballinasloe Electoral Area.

“We want safety for all women. No proper risk assessments have been done, and that cannot be brushed under the carpet. There is huge public pressure and up to 3,500 people marched recently.

“The public want their services and want them locally. We have twice requested a meeting with the Minister, which has not been provided.  We want accountability and meaningful support.”

Fianna Fáil Cllr, Michael Connolly, said he is assured the Minister is committed to returning maternity services to Portiuncula. However, this was met with trepidation by other elected representatives.

“I fully support everything being done to resolve these problems,” said Cllr Michael Connolly.

“I am assured the Minister is committed to returning maternity services to Portiuncula.

“The Minister had no choice but to follow clinicians’ recommendations that high-risk pregnancies could not be facilitated in Portiuncula. Recently, external teams have finally received full cooperation.

“The Minister says this is not a resources issue but a managerial one. I fully support continuing every service at Portiuncula. Women have suffered and babies have died. If resources are required, they must be provided. It’s about getting the house in order. I rest my case.”

Cllr Parsons (Ind) pressed Cllr Michael Connolly (FF) for clarity on the Minister’s stance.

She warned that failure to act now could mean losing services at Portiuncula forever, as seen in Ennis and Nenagh, where closures placed huge pressure on Limerick Hospital.

“Cllr Michael Connolly has information we don’t,” she said.

“I have not seen any official paper confirming the Minister’s intention to reinstate services.

“Her response to us linked our questions with the expansion of Galway University Hospital (GUH) maternity services. I have not seen anything confirming she will reinstate services.

“The HSE has said point-blank they will not reinstate services. If we don’t act now, we risk losing them forever - just like in Ennis and Nenagh - which put huge pressure on Limerick.

“We need clear communication. Please, Cllr Connolly, share with us if you have information in writing.”

Her concerns were reinforced by Sinn Féin Cllr, Dermot Connolly, who was vocal in his fears for the local community.

“The response that has come back to us from the Ministers’ office leaves more questions than answers,” he reiterated.

“Anyone with influence on the Minister should use it. Services at Portiuncula must be restored.”

Fine Gael Cllr, Alan Harney, highlighted the scale of the challenge facing Portiuncula.

He has called for clarity on the report recommendations and whether the necessary funding will be in place to implement the changes required.

He warned that “several hundred women will have their services transferred” and are already being forced to travel long distances for care. He has called on the HSE to ensure a safe service.

Independent Ireland Cllr, Declan Geraghty, stated that Portiuncula and University Hospital Galway were “off the table for discussion with the HSE and the health forum” at a recent Ballinasloe municipal meeting.

He described the negative effect it is having on the people of Roscommon, Offaly, Westmeath and Galway, who depend on Portiuncula.

“With a stroke of a pen,” he said,” services were removed. It’s time the Minister made the decision to keep Portiuncula open and improve it.”

At this week’s meeting at County Hall, Cllrs agreed to call upon Oireachtas members and the Minister for Health to safeguard funding and services at Galway University Hospital, warning that any cuts could threaten patient safety.

The motion was proposed by Cllr Evelyn Parsons (Ind), seconded by Cllr Peter Keaveney (FG), Cllr Alan Harney (FG), Cllr Declan Geraghty (Ind Ire), and Cllr Dermot Connolly (SF).

“It’s crucial at this point, with budget proposals on the table.,” explained Cllr Parsons (Ind).

“This is a critical time for lobbying, and we’re asking our national representatives to scrutinise carefully any proposals for budgetary constraints or cuts, and to ensure there are adequate resources for the future delivery of services.

“This is an equity issue, one of rural healthcare and access to services for large areas of the country, particularly East Galway and the Midlands.

“We want transparency in how these decisions are made, with independent review and scrutiny.”

Pictured: Cllr Evelyn Parsons...public want their services locally.

Report funded by the Local Democracy Scheme.