Fifteen of the State’s 19 maternity units are operating in substandard physical environments, according to a report by the State’s health watchdog. Major shortcomings in maternity services are identified in the monitoring report published by the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa). The substandard physical environment of most maternity units, along with inadequate medical and midwifery staffing levels are both highlighted in the report. Two maternity units – University Hospital Kerry and St Luke’s, Kilkenny – were identified as having particularly high levels of non-compliance with standards. Most maternity units, for example, had arrangements in place to identify women at higher risk of complications and to transfer them as appropriate.

Source: The Irish Times February 12, 2020 08:03 UTC