30/09/2026
HSE West and North West Communications and Public Affairs Office
Media Release
Portiuncula University Hospital highlights success of Maternity Day Assessment Unit
30 September 2026
Portiuncula University Hospital is highlighting the positive impact of its Maternity Day Assessment Unit (MDAU), which has provided care to approximately 840 women since opening in September 2025.
The MDAU was established to enhance and streamline maternity care by providing a dedicated assessment service for women experiencing pregnancy-related concerns from 20 weeks’ gestation through to 42 days postnatally. The service aims to ensure women receive timely assessment, treatment and advice in the most appropriate setting, while reducing footfall through the labour ward and emergency department.
The unit is managed by a Clinical Midwife Manager and staffed by three senior midwives. It provides specialist assessment, monitoring and treatment for a range of pregnancy-related conditions, including:
Reduced fetal movements
Abdominal pain
Symptoms of early labour
Raised blood pressure
Postnatal concerns
Other pregnancy-related conditions requiring specialist review
Women attending the MDAU are assessed by an experienced midwife, with onward referral to the obstetric team where appropriate. Following assessment, women may receive advice, treatment, an ongoing management plan or referral to another specialist service.
The MDAU accepts referrals through a number of pathways, including self-referral by pregnant women, GP referrals, Antenatal Clinic referrals, Fetal Assessment Unit referrals, and referrals from antenatal and postnatal inpatient services where further investigation or monitoring is required on an outpatient basis.
In addition to the MDAU service, the team also supports the Early Pregnancy Unit and the weekly High-Risk Antenatal Clinic, which has close links with the specialist High-Risk service at University Hospital Galway. This collaboration supports access to specialist expertise and ensures continuity of care for women who require additional specialist input, further strengthening the delivery of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital.
Speaking about the development of the service, Fionnuala Reilly, Clinical Midwife Manager, said, “We are delighted with the positive impact our Maternity Day Assessment Unit has had since opening in September 2025. The service enables us to provide timely, safe and high-quality care to women during pregnancy while ensuring they feel supported, informed and reassured throughout their visit.
“Having cared for approximately 840 women to date, we have already seen significant benefits for both patient experience and service delivery. We look forward to continuing to develop this important service for women and their families.”
Deirdre Naughton, Director of Midwifery, said, “The Maternity Day Assessment Unit is an excellent example of how our maternity services continue to evolve in response to the needs of women and their families. The MDAU provides dedicated assessment, monitoring and treatment, ensuring women can access the appropriate care and support in a timely manner. Women often see the same midwives during their visits, which supports continuity of care and enables a more personalised experience.”
Eileen Kelly, Hospital Manager, said, “The Maternity Day Assessment Unit is an important addition to maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital and is helping us to provide women with timely access to specialist assessment and care in a dedicated setting. The service also works closely with the specialist high-risk antenatal service in University Hospital Galway, supporting continuity of care and ensuring women can receive the appropriate level of care when required.
“The positive feedback and the number of women who have accessed the service since it opened demonstrate the value of this service. We are very grateful to the maternity team for their commitment to providing high-quality, person-centred care and supporting the continued development of maternity services at Portiuncula University Hospital.”
Reflecting on her experience of the Maternity Day Assessment Unit, Gillian Harte said, “I spent five weeks under the care of the Maternity Day Assessment Unit and I am extremely grateful to the team for the care and support they provided throughout that time. Having the MDAU meant I could attend the hospital regularly for monitoring, assessment and treatment without having to be admitted to hospital, which made a very difficult time much easier for me.
“The midwives were so supportive and reassuring throughout my time with the unit, and I always felt that I was in safe hands. I am very grateful to the whole team for the care, kindness and support they gave me throughout those five weeks.”
Women who have concerns about their pregnancy are encouraged to contact the Maternity Day Assessment Unit for advice and guidance on accessing the service.
For further information on the Maternity Day Assessment Unit, including opening hours and referral arrangements, please contact Portiuncula University Hospital on 090 964 8618.
-Ends-
Photo Caption:
Gillian Harte from Eyrecourt, County Galway, pictured with her 11-month-old son Fionn; Deirdre Naughton, Director of Midwifery; Fionnuala Reilly, Clinical Midwife Manager; Louise Geraghty, Midwife; and Emma Laffey, Health Care Assistant, at the Maternity Day Assessment Unit, Portiuncula University Hospital.
