New Gynaecology Clinic in Laois hospital praised by Minister for Health

A new women's health clinic opened in a Laois hospital is going to "obliterate the waiting list" for women in the Midlands, The Minister for Health has said.

Minister Stephen Donnelly visited Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise on Friday, December 2, meeting staff of the new specialist clinic which opened six months ago. 

The clinic is aimed to improve access and cut wait times for gynaecology patients.

“Promoting women’s health is a priority for me and for this Government. The services being provided in this new clinic for women’s health demonstrate that we are committed to improving women’s health experiences,” Minister Donnelly said.

“Developments in the ambulatory gynaecology model of care, as well as the increased levels of funding being provided to women’s healthcare in 2022, underpin our commitment in this space. The opening of this clinic will go a long way to ensuring that the women in the Midlands can receive the right care, at the right time, and in the right place,” he said.

The new Ambulatory Gynaecology Clinic is one of a number of such units opened around the country under national plans to improve outcomes for women through a new model of care.

The services are being established as one-stop, “see-and-treat” gynaecology clinics in which women can be assessed and treated conveniently and efficiently following a GP referral. This new model will improve access to diagnostics and treatment, resulting in fewer hospital visits and reducing overall wait times for women.

Prof Michael O’Connell is Master of the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital and Clinical Lead for Women & Infants for the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group which includes the Portlaoise hospital.

“We are delighted to have the minister visit Portlaoise hospital and see, first hand, the work that is going into developing this new model of maternity care for the Midlands and wider catchment of the Hospital Group.

"The Dublin Midlands Hospital Group is committed to supporting all measures to develop health services for women and children by working closely with the National Women and Infants Health Programme to enhance gynaecological care for our service users. Ambulatory Gynaecology allows a “see-and-treat” approach to managing gynaecological conditions, providing a more streamlined, integrated care pathway than the traditional gynaecology clinic and inpatient care model,” he said.

Kathleen Ward is Interim General Manager for Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

“The new Ambulatory Gynaecology services will provide an important diagnostic and treatment facility for women attending gynaecology services at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise. Moving to this new model of care will have benefits for the hospital system, freeing up clinic and theatre capacity for the management of more complex gynaecological patients by managing less complex investigations and procedures in the new clinic,” she said.

Ita Kinsella is the Director of Midwifery at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

“This new Ambulatory Gynaecology model of care promotes an integrated multidisciplinary team approach to care and offers a unique opportunity to transform gynaecology services for women in the catchment area.

Portlaoise hospital 'one of best in Ireland' says Minister for Health

Laois Offaly Minister sets out what €14 million means for Portlaoise hospital's future

“The overall objectives of an ambulatory gynaecology management philosophy are to offer individualised woman-centred care pathways, to shorten the time to treatment and the treatment process for women ensuring promotion of health and wellbeing for both a physical and psychological point of view.

“This new approach and redesign of gynaecology services can be delivered in a more convenient close to home setting than what was previously offered, for the benefit of women in the Midlands in need of the service. We would like to thank all the staff in MRHP who have helped to bring this project to completion. And we would also like to acknowledge the National Women and Infants Health Programme for their ongoing support,” the Director said.

The new clinic is part of the extension and development of the outpatients department at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise and is based on the ground floor.