Health Board puts budget before lives, says INO

THE lives of mothers and babies are put at risk every day because one of the country’s busiest regional maternity hospitals doesn’t have enough midwives, nurses warned yesterday.

Three different reports, dating as far back as August 2001, have highlighted the "unsafe" conditions for mothers and babies at Wexford General Hospital, particularly at night when staffing levels are lowest. The situation is particularly acute given the region's 30% increase in births in the last two years.

But the South Eastern Health Board seems to be more intent on commissioning expensive reports, rather than employing the 10 extra midwives and 12 care assistants the hospital urgently needs, the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) said yesterday.

The INO says staff at the maternity unit are at breaking point. It claims they are working through their lunch breaks, doing 12-hour shifts instead of eight for no extra pay, and coming in on their days off and during annual leave to maintain the service.

One legal action alone could cost millions, pointed out INO industrial relations officer Tony Fitzpatrick.

"The maternity unit is in the midst of a staffing crisis," he said.

"It is not acceptable that the health board continues to commission reports and not act on them. Why not just put in the resources?"

A damning clinical risk management report, presented to the health board in August 2001, said the staffing levels were "neither supportable nor safe". It said safe levels of staffing were "almost never achieved".

A 2002 report from the Irish Public Bodies and Medical Protection Society said: "It is essential for the board to accept the very serious staffing shortfalls and the significant risks this is posing to patients, health professionals and the credibility of the service."

Best practice recommends that two midwives accompany an expectant mother for an emergency 'section' delivery. Yet only two midwives man the labour ward at night and just one can be present for such a birth. On most nights, there are four or five women either in labour or in for assessment.

Midwife Joan Bell said the maternity service was only maintained because staff there were giving 200%.

"Frequently we do a 12-hour shift when we're rostered to work for eight hours. We cover shifts on days off, and on annual leave. The maternity service could not continue without the dedication of the midwives."

The South Eastern Health Board said: "Wexford General Hospital is beginning to operate a new Domino birth programme. This service provides greater choice to the women of Wexford. The programme allows women to deliver their babies in Wexford General Hospital and be discharged within six hours of delivery, with community midwifery support."

But the INO accused the health board of putting its budget before the lives of mothers and babies. It has now begun a postcard campaign, featuring a picture of a baby and the slogan: "She's worth her weight in gold but the SEHB won't budget for her".

The cards will be sent to local politicians, the health board and the Department of Health.