Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Chair. I thank Mr. Watt and Mr. Gloster for their statements. Like all the other members I welcome them, along with their expert panel.

While I have a national brief I am going to be a little parochial because the issue my colleague from Roscommon, Deputy Daly, raised earlier on, namely, Portiuncula hospital, is something I am really passionate about and concerned about. Like most representatives from east Galway we attended the public meetings. Of course, public meetings do not tell you everything but one has to be cognisant of the reasons such much meetings are called. I am, it is fair to say, very familiar with the reasons the HSE made the decision to refer the high-risk cases to other centres of excellence, particularly Galway. I preface my remarks by saying I am really mindful and sympathetic to the mums, babies and families and I would not want to add any insult or injury to those who have suffered loss or indeed life-changing conditions as a consequence of having been born in Portiuncula. I am assuming, rightly or wrongly, that the decision that was taken is temporary until the unit is considered to be the centre of excellence and some time in the near future I hope normal services will resume with all those measures met and all the necessary precautions like the staffing and all that kind of stuff in place.

I was speaking to one of the more senior midwives in recent times and I have to compliment the midwifery staff and the staff who have managed that unit expertly over the years. Very little, if any, blame is attributed to people like that and they do an extraordinary job, so I would not want anyone to have any further hurt in that regard. What I am really anxious for is that as a consequence of the high-risk cases being referred to other hospitals, how are staff within the unit being supported to maintain their clinical skills and indeed their morale? Sometimes as a consequence of all this stuff that is been discussed in the national and local media there can be damage to the morale of staff. What I and others are striving to get to is that Portiuncula would be the centre of excellence again in the very near future, I hope, with all things being right. That is my first question with regard to the staff.

The reviews highlight a higher than expected rate of adverse outcomes in Portiuncula, and higher risk patients are being redirected to other hospitals. Could Mr. Gloster outline what specific safety measures are currently in place in Portiuncula to reassure women and families in my constituency and in Roscommon who are receiving care there? Sometimes, there is a perception with all of the negative talk, and people can make a choice based on that. I am one of those who believe in the capacity of Portiuncula to give the best treatment.

They are my two questions in that regard. I am very anxious that all of our resources are channelled into making sure that all of the staff are supported and, in the not-too-distant future, Portiuncula will once again be a centre of excellence.

I am mindful and cognisant of the comments Mr. Gloster made earlier. He made a reference to unexplained deterioration and deficits in some circumstances. We will not go into that, but I am anxious that we would try to cut to the chase and see how soon or how best we can have normal services resume there.