Republican News · Thursday 2 May 2002

Tragic case shows need for services at Louth County Hospital

Sinn Féin Louth candidate Arthur Morgan says the recent horrific story of a young Dundalk woman is an indictment of the government's health policy at a time of unprecedented wealth.

Morgan says he is very saddened by the harrowing experience of the young expectant Dundalk mother who, after a frantic car journey to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, and despite the best efforts of the medical staff, delivered a stillborn baby.

"This 21-year-old, who was 34 weeks pregnant, was brought to Louth County Hospital by members of her family in a substantial amount of pain," said Morgan. "They had planned to take her to Drogheda, but her pain was so severe they decided to take her to Louth County Hospital. There, without examination, she was told by medical staff to go to Drogheda.

"If an ambulance had been provided, vital minutes could have been saved and the tragic outcome may have been different.

"In an area which has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in the developed world, according to a group set up by the North Eastern Health Board, it is not acceptable that mothers and their unborn babies are put at risk.

"I am once again calling for all services to be restored to Louth County Hospital."