Portiuncula Hospital Celebrates National Midwives Week

‘Promoting Safe Care for Mother and Baby’, was the theme of National Midwives week which took place from 28 April to 02 May.
 
Portiuncula Hospital hosted a number of events to celebrate the unique midwifery contribution to the high quality and excellent health outcomes for mothers and babies.
 
The events included an education morning on future midwifery developments and research; the maternity services available to women attending the hospital were showcased in the foyer; and Portiuncula Midwife, Aisling Dixon spoke at the “Annual Essence of Midwifery Conference” in the Coombe Hospital and her presentation was streamed live to Portiuncula staff.
 
Siobhan Horkan, Assistant Director of Nursing for Women’s and Children at Portiuncula spoke of the importance of celebrating National Midwives Week. She said, “Pregnancy and childbirth can be the most miraculous time in a woman’s life and midwives play a key role on this journey to motherhood.
 
“Portiuncula Hospital has provided quality maternity care since the 1950s and continues to provide women-centred care for mothers, babies and families from a wide catchment area with 2052 babies born here in 2013. 
 
“The midwives do much more than deliver babies, they ensure that women and their babies receive the best possible professional midwifery services which respond to each woman’s particular circumstance and needs.
 
“Midwives are involved in the provision of Antenatal Clinics, the Early Pregnancy Unit, Gestational Diabetes Clinic and are participating in OptiBIRTH, which is an international study aimed at reducing the Caesarean section rate. Presently our unit has one of the highest rates of vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) nationally.
 
“Free antenatal and breastfeeding preparation classes are provided and all prospective mothers are encouraged to book in. Specialist midwives in Neonatal Resuscitation and Lactation continue to promote high standards of care and education to women and staff.
 
Mary Burke, Clinical Nurse Manager 3, Maternity Services spoke of how the hospital supports the ongoing development of midwifery staff. She said, “The starting point for service excellence is ensuring that the midwives of tomorrow are educated to the highest standard. Portiuncula, in partnership with NUI Galway, has provided clinical placements for Midwifery Students since 2007. As part of their continuing professional development all midwives are required to attend regular updates and the hospital also supports staff in attaining further qualifications.
 
“It is clear that the midwives in Portiuncula embrace the theme ‘Promoting Safe Care for Mother and Baby’ and we look forward to the continued provision of a high quality midwifery service which promotes healthier families and communities.”
 
Photo Details:
Maternity staff at Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe celebrating National Midwives Week, back row from left: Deirdre Naughton, Jacqui Nolan, Anne Murray, Mary Burke, Martina Small and Anne Regan. Front row, from left: Irene Mulryan with her son Felix, Rebecca Power with her son Arron and Jessica Murray.