Contradictions on Portiuncula Maternity Services undermine confidence, says Daly
Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Dr Martin Daly TD raised urgent questions over the handling of Portiuncula Maternity Services, following what he said were contradictory statements on the implementation of the Walker Report.
The 2018 Walker Report highlighted concerns around governance, training and consultant presence at the hospital, including reliance on locum consultants, communication and timely recognition of deteriorating clinical situations.
During questions, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill stated she had been assured by both the HSE and HIQA that the Walker Report’s recommendations had been implemented. However, only last week the CEO of the HSE, Bernard Gloster, told the Oireachtas Health Committee that the Walker Report was not fully implemented, Dr Daly replied.
“This contradiction is deeply concerning,” Dr Daly said. “On one hand, the minister cites assurances from HIQA and the HSE that the recommendations were actioned. On the other, the HSE’s own chief executive has openly admitted that they were not. These two accounts cannot both be true. It raises fundamental questions of confidence — not in the clinical staff on the ground, who provide excellent care every day — but in the senior clinical management structures and in HIQA as an independent regulator. If HIQA’s analysis is at odds with the HSE CEO’s own account, how can the public have trust in the system?”
At a recent GP online meeting with HSE leadership, Dr Daly said the impression left was one of a lack of leadership, organisation, and clarity around the stratification of high-risk pregnancies.
He added that the “one hospital, two sites” model between Galway and Portiuncula was never resourced.
“That is not collaboration, it is window dressing, and it undermines both staff and patient confidence,” the Fianna Fáil TD said.
Dr Daly added that the culture of denial around the Walker Report cannot continue.
“We need clear accountability and full implementation of both the Walker and Coulter Smith recommendations. Anything less undermines confidence in the leadership structures and in the oversight mechanisms that are supposed to guarantee safe and reliable maternity care.”
