All maternity care in southeast may be moved to Waterford

THE HSE said maternity services may end in hospitals in counties Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford as part of a “reconfiguration” process.

The move, which the HSE said has not been finalised and could take up to 10 years to complete, is likely to be met with fierce opposition in the affected areas, where huge protest marches have already been held this year against cuts in hospital services.

Regional director of operations with the HSE South Pat Healy told Oireachtas members from Wexford on Saturday that the steering group examining acute hospitals in the southeast is “considering” centralising obstetrics for the region in Waterford.