A pilot service to enhance midwifery care has been launched by the Maternity Department at Portiuncula University Hospital in Ballinasloe, Co Galway.
The programme will offer postnatal clinic appointments to all women on day five and day ten after their baby is born.
Women will be invited to attend a clinic in Athlone, Loughrea or Ballinasloe.
Each appointment will consist of a 45-minute consultation with a midwife who will carry out a full mother and baby check. Referrals and follow-up care will be provided as clinically required.
In addition, a midwife will be available two hours a day, seven days a week, to provide postnatal support over the phone to the women.
"The aim of the service is to provide enhanced postnatal care, early signposting for additional services, breastfeeding support and reduce postnatal admission," said Clinical Midwife Manager at Portiuncula University Hospital Rebecca Colohan.
She said: "The idea for this service was developed following a patient engagement survey where feedback revealed the need for improved postnatal midwifery care."
The hospital was selected as a pilot site by the HSE's National Women and Infants Health Programme and secured funding for two additional midwives and part-time administrative support to roll out this pilot.
Director of Midwifery at the hospital Deirdre Naughton said: "This service is a core component of the National Maternity Strategy’s Model of Care of establishing a community midwifery service, as an outreach service from the hospital.
"Working alongside our Public Health Nursing colleagues and GPs, it will assist us in providing women with integrated care as close to home as possible."
She added: "We will be monitoring the success of the pilot closely and adapting it as required to meet the needs of the women using our service."
