Hundreds of women are choosing not to have their baby at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise (MRHP) because they are “nervous” about the care they might receive.

There were “significant failings” in the care provided to a baby boy who died more than six years ago, a report published by the HSE has found.

A baby’s death has resulted in “extremely helpful” recommendations, a hospital chief said yesterday.

A mother has spoken of how proud she is of her dead son — he has played a vital role in ensuring other babies did not die at birth.