HSE being asked to address Mullingar neonatal capacity

The health minister has referred questions about neonatal and paediatric services at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Mullingar to the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The issue was raised in the Dáil by Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Robert Troy, TD, who sought answers on the capacity of neonatal services at the hospital and plans to expand provision.

Minister Troy asked the health minister to address what he described as “urgent issues” surrounding neonatal services, including the current five-bed Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU). He also sought details on the steps required to expand paediatric and neonatal capacity at the hospital.

Questions were also raised about whether an assessment has been carried out of current and projected demand for neonatal and paediatric services in the midlands region. The TD also sought information on the funding and resources that would be required to increase SCBU capacity beyond its existing five beds, as well as details of any plans to deliver an expansion and the expected timeframe.

In her response, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said the matter was operational and therefore had been referred to the HSE.

The minister said she had asked the HSE to respond directly to Deputy Troy “as soon as possible”.