No indication Mayo hospital an outlier for stillbirths

REASSURANCES have been given that Mayo University Hospital (MUH) is a safe facility for mothers giving birth.

There is no indication MUH is an outlier for stillbirth occurrences, the HSE says, after it was asked if it intended to carry out an investigation into the number of stillbirths at the hospital in 2023.

The question was posed by Councillor Michael Kilcoyne for the latest meeting of the Health Forum West.

There were seven stillbirths in MUH in 2023, five of which occurred in the last three months of the year.

Based on the Irish Maternity Indicator System (IMIS) report for 2023, Mayo University Hospital perinatal mortality rate is within the national range, Councillor Kilcoyne was informed in a written reply.

In line with the national incident management framework, all seven stillbirths underwent local preliminary review.

Two met the definition for serious reportable incidents (SRE) and full external reviews were commissioned on these cases.

There were no indications of commonalities in these cases.

One of these reviews has been completed and shared with the family and the second is underway.

The response from the HSE stated: 'Any loss of a baby is a devastating and traumatic event for parents and families. However, at this time, based on available quality and safety information, there is no indication that MUH is an outlier for these occurrences.

'In the Irish maternity system, the perinatal mortality rate is measured as a very important measure of obstetric and neonatal care. Stillbirths account for 66% of all perinatal deaths.

'The national measurement systems operate at both individual maternity service level and at national level. The rates found are benchmarked against best international practice, with the perinatal deaths included encompassing stillbirths, the loss of a baby during labour and the loss of a baby up to seven days after birth.

'Based on the data and quality and safety information available, the rate at Mayo University Hospital is within national norms.'

The report continued: 'Of those stillbirths experienced by women and their families, most are caused by specific placental anomaly or by a major congenital anomaly. In these specific circumstances, there is often very little that could have been done to avoid these tragic outcomes.

'Care and management in these circumstances is primarily targeted at supporting the family through their grief and endeavouring to provide women and their families with much needed answers so that they are supported to make decisions about any future pregnancies.

'All incidences of stillbirth are monitored and discussed at local level in individual maternity services with engagement and reporting also taking place at regional level through maternity networks and their relevant quality and patient safety structures in terms of overall numbers, specific circumstances of individual cases, etc.

'The quality and safety of our maternity services is of critical importance to the HSE and we want to do all we can to ensure the safety of women and their babies in the antenatal and postnatal period.'