The HSE has insisted that there is ‘no continuing patient safety concern' at Portiunula Hospital in Galway, after major deficiencies in maternity care were identified between February and November of last year.

During that period, two babies died and a further five ‘had evidence of oxygen deprivation during delivery'.

"Apparent deficiencies in intra-partum care were identified which included interpretation and review of CTG tracings (monitoring of foetal heartbeats), administration of drugs to accelerate labour and instrumental delivery," said the HSE's Saolta University Health Care Group, which runs the hospital.

It noted that on December 4, it mandated the implementation of ‘corrective measures' in order to address the quality of care issues that had been identified.

"Since then in repeated re-audits the hospital has confirmed the ongoing full implementation of the corrective measures. Additional training has been provided to all maternity staff and additional senior supervision is being provided to both medical and midwifery staff. There have been no negative perinatal outcomes since the enhanced monitoring measures were put in place," the Saolta Group said.

The seven affected families are being contacted by the hospital. They are being informed that their babies' cases will be part of an indepth review by Portiuncula. This review will be carried out by an independent expert team and will include a patient representative.

Details of this team and its terms of reference are expected to be finalised shortly.

"The findings of the review will be made available to the families affected and will be presented to the HSE and the Minister for Health and his department and will be published. It is expected this report will be available within approximately three months," the Saolta Group commented.

It said that it regrets any distress this review may cause to the seven affected families and it ‘wishes to sympathise with the families of the two babies who died'.

It added that it will offer ‘any services that they may require to support them in dealing with issues that arise'.