HSE refuses to publish maternity report

HEALTH service management have refused to publish a report into chronic capacity problems at Cork University Maternity Hospital.

They claim the document is for “internal management purposes” only.

After the state-of-the-art €75 million facility replaced existing services at St Finbarr’s, Erinville and the Bon Secours private hospital in late 2007, midwifery and nursing representatives raised concerns that the new hospital would be unable to cope with a numbers surge.

Medical unions and the HSE agreed that an independent report by UK firm Birthrate Plus would be carried out until Autumn 2008 to clarify whether its capacity of 7,000 deliveries was sufficient.

However, despite admitting almost 2,000 more patients last year than planned — leading to “crisis situation” claims by staff — the Irish Examiner has learned that the document will not be made public by the HSE or Department of Health.

Responding to a Dáil question by Labour health spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan, Health Minister Mary Harney said while thedocument is nearing completion, it will not be made public.

“During negotiations between CUH and union representatives following the opening of CUMH, it was agreed that a review in relation to midwifery staffing levels would be undertaken.

“The results of the review are being finalised at present and will then be considered by the executive management board of CUH.

“As the report is for internal management purposes, it is not intended that it will be published,” Ms Harney said.

Late last year, Irish Nurses Organisation southern representative Patsy Doyle said patient safety was potentially being risked by the surge in numbers.

“This hospital was built for 7,000 births; what we will see this year will be close to 9,000, and that’s expected to rise even further next year. It’s not just patients from Cork, they’re also coming from Kerry, Kilkenny and Waterford.

“We have 376 midwifery posts at CUMH, but that staff figure was based on 7,000 deliveries. The staff are worked off their feet trying to keep the service running.”

The HSE South has previously stated that while birth levels have far exceeded initial predictions, the increase “reflects trends nationally”.

CUMH consultant obstetrician/gynaecologist, Professor John Higgins, has also defended the capacity levels.

“I have never been prouder to work in the Irish maternity services than I have been in the past few months. By pulling together, our staff have ensured that the quality of care we offer to mothers and babies has been maintained.”