Standards tackle ‘failings’ of maternity services

The State’s health services watchdog has announced that new standards for maternity services are being introduced in the wake of a series of “high-profile failings”.

The standards, developed by the Health Information and Quality Authority, are to ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality maternity care.

Investigations conducted by Hiqa in recent years uncovered serious shortcomings in the maternity units of the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, and University Hospital Galway.