HSE urged to carry out audit into use of €100k maternity room at Sligo University Hospital

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Questions regarding the use of a state of the art facility at Sligo University Hospital were raised at this month’s meeting of Sligo County Council with members calling for the HSE to carry out an audit of the usage of the €100,000 Suaimhneas Room.

Calling for the audit, Cllr Edel McSharry said the Suaimhneas Room, which is a home from home delivery suite, must meet two criteria before it can be used. It must be ensured that women are clinically suitable and it must ensure that the service offers value for money.

In her motion, Cllr McSharry said there was a need for an audit, “To identify its usage rates, capital cost breakdown, staffing, training or procedural barriers – to ensure it is fully utilised to improve maternal outcomes and value for money.”

Addressing the meeting Cllr McSharry said, “Let us establish the facts. This is not about criticising the staff or the HSE but utilising the excellent facilities.”

Cllr Fergal Nealon also backed the motion before the meeting saying, “I haven’t heard of one person who got access to this room. We have this great room, we need to be able to use it.”