Patients broadly satisfied with Mullingar hospital maternity experience

Women who gave birth at the Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar generally reported positive experiences of maternity care, according to the findings of the National Maternity Experience Survey 2025.

The survey, carried out earlier this year by the National Care Experience Programme on behalf of HIQA, the HSE and the Department of Health, gathered feedback from women who gave birth in February and March 2025. All public maternity hospitals and units in the state took part, including Mullingar.

Overall, the survey indicates that most women who used the Mullingar maternity services felt they were treated with respect and dignity and had confidence in the healthcare professionals providing their care.

Nationally, more than four in five respondents rated their maternity care as ‘good’ or ‘very good’, and responses from Mullingar were consistent with that overall pattern.

Women reported strong levels of trust in midwives, doctors and nurses during pregnancy and labour, with clear explanations and respectful treatment highlighted as strengths of care. The survey also found that many women felt listened to when raising concerns or asking questions during labour and birth.

However, as with maternity services elsewhere, the findings point to ongoing challenges around communication and postnatal support.

Communication between maternity services and GPs was identified as a particular area of weakness, with fewer than four in 10 women nationally saying communication was definitely good. Women who gave birth in Mullingar reported similar experiences, particularly when transitioning from hospital-based care to community and GP-led services.

Postnatal care pressures were also evident. A significant proportion of respondents said they were not always able to get help from a healthcare professional when they needed it after giving birth, reflecting staffing pressures on busy maternity wards.

One respondent quoted in the survey said there were occasions when staff were “kind and supportive but clearly stretched”, particularly during the postnatal period.

The survey also highlighted gaps in mental health support during and after pregnancy. Around one in five women nationally who sought help for their mental health said they did not receive enough support, an issue reflected in responses from women who attended Mullingar.

Women experiencing anxiety, low mood or emotional distress during pregnancy or after birth said access to specialist support was limited, particularly once they had returned home.

The findings show that overall experience tended to be more positive where women felt involved in decisions about their care and where care proceeded as planned. Those who experienced unexpected interventions or complications were more likely to report communication difficulties and lower satisfaction.

The HSE has said the survey results will be used to inform local quality improvement plans at each maternity unit, including Mullingar. Those plans are expected to focus on strengthening postnatal care, improving communication with GPs and enhancing access to perinatal mental health supports.

The National Care Experience Programme said the survey provides “an important insight into women’s real experiences of maternity care” and will be used with clinical data to guide service planning and development.