HSE promises Mullingar will get vital baby machine

A Prime Time Investigates programme last week examining the deaths of four babies at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise, found that Mullingar’s maternity unit is the only one out of the 19 in the country, not equipped with a piece of vital equipment that could save a child’s life, and head off the danger of brain damage through oxygen deprivation.

According to the programme, the “blood gas analyzer” required to conduct foetal blood sampling, costs just €12,000.

The HSE, in a statement to the radio station Shannonside, said that the hospital is currently in the process of commencing foetal blood sampling.

“The equipment required has been ordered and the hospital is in the process of finalising a start date,” the station reported.

The HSE statement provided to the radio station also said that a number of services are provided by the hospital to ensure the safety of mothers and babies.

“These include the allocation of a midwife to each expectant mother in labour, continuous foetal monitoring via cardiotocograph; multidisciplinary management of the patient’s labour; the following of clinical obstetrical guidelines and that external training is provided on CTG interpretation and obstetrical emergencies,” the statement said.

Fetal blood sampling is used to ensure that the baby is receiving an adequate supply of oxygen.