Major protest takes place today over Portiuncula downgrade fears

A public rally will take place today, Saturday, August 16th, over fears for the future of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH).

The protest is being organised by the Portiuncula Maternity Alliance (PMA), and will assemble at 12 noon in the Fairgreen Carpark, Ballinasloe.

The rally theme is “Care Can’t Wait – Protect Maternity Services at PUH.” The group has brought together families, healthcare professionals, and public representatives from across Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, Longford, Offaly, Leitrim, Tipperary, Clare and beyond.

The protest follows a HSE announcement in July 2025, confirming that a broadened definition of ‘high-risk’ pregnancy is now being used to divert many more women away from PUH for delivery.

“This is not just a local issue – this is a national disgrace,” said Galway County Councillor Evelyn Parsons, co-founder of the Portiuncula Maternity Alliance. “The HSE has bypassed women, families, GPs, clinicians and even frontline midwives and obstetricians. They have failed to explain why safe, trusted maternity care at PUH is not being resourced properly, and why vital services are being stripped from rural communities without transparency, risk assessment or equality oversight.”

The alliance is urging people across all affected counties to attend and wear their county or club colours, bring their flags, and make their voices heard.

Fianna Fáil TD Dr Martin Daly, who plans to attend the protest, said he is fully supportive of the maternity unit at the hospital.

“It is clear there is worry in the community for the future of services in Portiuncula hospital. I have spoken to the health minister on a number of occasions and she has assured me that she is not minded to close the services,” he said. “I will be campaigning for resources to be invested in the maternity services and for the full implementation of both the Walker and Coulter-Smith reports. The issues raised in both reports must be addressed with investment in the maternity services of Portiuncula hospital.”