Department of Health

Final Wording: Records relating to the decision to transfer high risk pregnancies from Portiuncula hospital to Galway University hospital including records relating to the rationale behind the decision, minutes of any meetings relating to the same and any other relevant material from 01/10/2024 to 31/07/2025 New Wording: I request for access to the following records from 1st October 2024 to July 2025: 1. Records relating to maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH): All records (including correspondence, memoranda, briefing notes, reports, submissions, internal communications, and emails) concerning PUH maternity services and any changes to the provision of patient care between PUH and University Hospital Galway (UHG) or other maternity units. This includes records referring to or describing changes such as diversion, transfer, reallocation, alteration, reduction, reconfiguration, centralisation, redesign, or modification of maternity services, patient pathways, or models of care. 2. Meetings: Minutes, agendas, attendance lists, and notes of all meetings where PUH maternity services were discussed in connection with the above. 3. Decisions or Directions: Copies of decisions, directions, instructions, or determinations (formal or informal) issued by the HSE, Saolta University Health Care Group, the Department of Health, the National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP), or associated governance structures regarding PUH maternity services. 4. Supporting Documentation: Reports, statements, business cases, or justifications (clinical, financial, or strategic) used to inform or support such decisions. 5. Risk and Clinical Assessments: Any risk assessments, analyses, safety reviews, or clinical evaluations undertaken or considered in relation to changes affecting PUH maternity services, including comparative assessments between PUH and UHG or other units. 6. Correspondence with the Department of Health: All correspondence between the HSE, Saolta, or NWIHP and the Department of Health (including the Minister for Health, the Chief Medical Officer, and departmental officials) concerning PUH maternity services, patient safety, or service configuration. Old Wording: I request access to the following records: 1. Records relating to maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH): All records (including correspondence, memoranda, briefing notes, reports, submissions, internal communications, and emails) concerning PUH maternity services and any changes to the provision of patient care between PUH and University Hospital Galway (UHG) or other maternity units. This includes records referring to or describing changes such as diversion, transfer, reallocation, alteration, reduction, reconfiguration, centralisation, redesign, or modification of maternity services, patient pathways, or models of care. 2. Meetings: Minutes, agendas, attendance lists, and notes of all meetings where PUH maternity services were discussed in connection with the above. 3. Decisions or Directions: Copies of decisions, directions, instructions, or determinations (formal or informal) issued by the HSE, Saolta University Health Care Group, the Department of Health, the National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP), or associated governance structures regarding PUH maternity services. 4. Supporting Documentation: Reports, statements, business cases, or justifications (clinical, financial, or strategic) used to inform or support such decisions. 5. Risk and Clinical Assessments: Any risk assessments, analyses, safety reviews, or clinical evaluations undertaken or considered in relation to changes affecting PUH maternity services, including comparative assessments between PUH and UHG or other units. 6. Correspondence with the Department of Health: All correspondence between the HSE, Saolta, or NWIHP and the Department of Health (including the Minister for Health, the Chief Medical Officer, and departmental officials) concerning PUH maternity services, patient safety, or service configuration. FOI Request – Portiuncula University Hospital (PUH) Maternity Services (Local Records) Under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, I request access to the following records held locally at Portiuncula University Hospital, Ballinasloe: 1. Local Management Records: Minutes, agendas, attendance lists, and notes of any meetings of the PUH hospital management team, clinical governance committees, or internal working groups where maternity services, patient care pathways, or service changes were discussed. 2. Local Correspondence: All correspondence (including emails, memoranda, internal notes, and letters) between PUH hospital management/clinical staff and: o Saolta University Health Care Group / HSE WNW / MCAN o HSE (national or regional) o Department of Health o National Women & Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) regarding maternity services at PUH and any changes to patient pathways or service configuration. 3. Decisions or Directions Received: Copies of any formal or informal instructions, notices, or directives received by PUH management or clinicians concerning maternity services (2018–present). Date Range: Records created, received, or held from 1 January 2018 to the date of this request. Scope & Format: • I specifically request records held locally on-site at PUH (in addition to records held centrally by Saolta). • Please provide records in electronic format where possible. • If any aspect of this request is considered too broad under s.15(1)(c), please contact me under s.15(4) to refine the scope. Specified Individuals/Offices For clarity, this request includes records created, received, or held by (but not limited to): • Prof John Morrison (West/North-West MCAN Maternity Clinical Network) • Prof Pat Nash (Regional Clinical Director, Saolta) WNW HSE • Mr Tony Canavan (CEO Saolta Hospital Group / Regional Executive Officer) REO WNW Ann Cosgrove (COO HSE West / Interim CEO/ IHA Manager HSE WNW) James Keane General Manager PUH • Dr Clíona Murphy (NWIHP) • Mr Bernard Gloster (CEO, HSE) • The Minister for Health and Department of Health officials • The Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health Date Range: Records created, received, or held from 1 January 2018 to the date of this request. Scope and Format: • The above terms (e.g. diversion, reallocation, reconfiguration) should be interpreted broadly, including synonymous terminology. • I request records in electronic format (email or secure link). • If any aspect of this request is considered too broad under s.15(1)(c), I ask that you contact me under s.15(4) to assist in refining it, rather than refusing outright.