Galway’s caesarean section rate double WHO recommendations

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Written by Avril Horan

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

The number of caesarean sections carried out in Galway hospitals is double that recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The WHO has set out an acceptable caesarean rate of between 10 and 15 per cent for developed countries. However, figures to be released later this month will show a 30 per cent rate of caesarean sections at Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and a 28.2 per cent rate at University College Hospital Galway (UHG).

The rate is higher again for first time mothers, with 34.7 per cent having a caesarean at Portiuncula Hospital, and 32.1 per cent at UHG. The latest figures are being compiled by Cuidiú, the Irish Childbirth Trust, and a full comparative report will be released on their website - www.cuidiu-ict.ie - later this month. The figures relate to the year 2005 and form part of a nationwide survey, which began in December 2006 and will be published shortly.

In response, a spokesperson for the HSE West said the latest figures they have to hand show the number of sections at UHG now stands at 26 per cent. The spokesperson said this is “on par with the rest of the country”. At the time of going to press, they have no details on the latest section rate for Portiuncula.

Breda Kerans of the Loughrea-based organisation AIMS (the Association for Improvement in Maternity Services) Ireland told the Galway Independent that both maternity hospitals in the county have high caesarean section rates while other European countries have rates well below ten per cent. She said the biggest concerns among mothers are hygiene standards in hospitals and poor post-natal care.

“Over-crowded, understaffed hospitals, coupled with the use of outdated policies and restrictions are adversely affecting thousands of women every year,” said Ms Kerans.

“Irish women are becoming increasingly concerned about the service they receive during and after pregnancy. Here in Galway we are in the unusual position of having the top rated maternity service in Portiuncula (81 per cent) and the second worst rated service in UHG (59 per cent), according to the latest ratings from ratemyhospital.ie,” she said.

AIMS Ireland is looking for new members and volunteers to help tackle these issues in Galway. If you would like to become a Community Support Representative you can contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .