Tenth Portiuncula Hospital Review Being Conducted After Recent Infant Death
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There is deep concern at today's news that a tenth external review is now underway into maternity care at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH), County Galway. This review is on foot of an infant death in recent weeks at the hospital.
The reviews announced in January of this year arose from a series of serious incidents involving newborns, including cases of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) and stillbirths. It was stated at the time that an external obstetric team had been brought into the hospital. Yet despite this, another family has experienced a tragic loss.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed in January that six babies born in 2024 and one in 2025 were diagnosed with HIE, a condition caused by a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain before, during, or shortly after birth. Six of these infants required neonatal therapeutic hypothermia—commonly known as neonatal cooling. Additionally, two stillbirths occurred at the hospital in 2023, with all cases said to be under external review. The findings of these reviews still have not been published, four months later.
In the meantime, these families are living through unimaginable grief and uncertainty. These reviews must not become another bureaucratic exercise. The families above all else, require absolute transparency, accountability, and urgent reform. They must lead to meaningful change.
This is not the first time Portiuncula’s maternity services have come under scrutiny. A 2018 report led by Professor James Walker identified multiple serious failures, including inadequate staffing, poor communication, and insufficient training – factors that contributed to the deaths of three babies. Between 2019 and 2023, eight additional reviews were conducted, prompting a series of service-improvement plans.
Despite these efforts, the recurrence of serious incidents has raised questions about the effectiveness of previous reforms. Dr Pat Nash, Regional Clinical Director for HSE West and North West, acknowledged that the recent incidence of HIE at PUH is “significantly higher than that observed nationally or internationally.”
It is imperative that:
- All affected families are kept fully informed and supported throughout the review process.
- Findings from the reviews are published in full and acted upon without delay.
- Long-term support is provided to families caring for children with HIE-related disabilities.
What is Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy (HIE)?
HIE is a serious birth injury that can result in long-term neurological damage, including developmental delays, epilepsy, and cerebral palsy. While some children recover with minimal impact, others may require lifelong care and support.
Contact us
For further information about birth injury claims please call Johan Verbruggen on +353 1 8280 982 or email: johan.verbuggen@fieldfisher.com.
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