Expectant mothers in the north-east of the country will in future have to travel further to attend antenatal clinics, following a proposal by the HSE to transfer antenatal care from Navan and Dundalk to Drogheda.

This is in spite of Health Minister James Reilly's pledge as part of his hospital reorganisation plan to maintain and expand as many 'low tech' services as possible at smaller hospitals close to people's homes.

The HSE told irishhealth.com that there is currently a proposal to reorganise consultant obstetrics/gynaecology sessions in Navan and Dundalk so that time is used as efficiently as possible.

A spokesperson said while discussions are under way at the moment, 'no change to service delivery has yet taken place or is planned.'

However, in a reply to Louth Labour TD Gerald Nash at the end of March, the HSE confirmed it was proposed that in future, antenatal services would be delivered at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda only.

"The primary goal of the reorganisation of antenatal clinics is to ensure that each and every clinic has a senior consultant obstetrician in attendance."

The HSE said in the reply that the transfer of services to Drogheda was at a proposal stage at present.

Deputy Nash queried how this planned transfer of services tied in with HSE plans to provide local access to safe and high quality essential antenatal services.

The smaller hospitals framework document, published by Minister Reilly earlier this week, states that antenatal care, along with other services, can be provided at smaller hospitals based on local need and capacity.

Women cannot give birth give birth at Dundalk Hospital, as its maternity unit closed over 10 years ago. The 24-hour emergency department at Dundalk had also been closed in recent years.

Navan Hospital is due to lose its 24 hour A&E shortly following the hospital reorganisation plans published by Minister Reilly.