Portiuncula University Hospital’s Maternity Day Assessment Unit (MDAU) has supported approximately 840 women since opening in September 2025, offering timely maternity care without hospital admission in many cases. The service is designed to provide specialist assessment, monitoring, treatment and reassurance for women with pregnancy-related concerns.
HSE maternity care expands through dedicated assessment service
The MDAU supports women from 20 weeks of pregnancy until 42 days after birth. By providing a dedicated setting for assessment, the unit helps direct patients to the most appropriate care while reducing unnecessary attendance at the labour ward and emergency department.
Managed by a Clinical Midwife Manager and staffed by three senior midwives, the service assesses a range of concerns, including:
- Reduced fetal movements
- Abdominal pain
- Possible symptoms of early labour
- Raised blood pressure
- Postnatal concerns
- Other conditions requiring specialist maternity review
Women are assessed by an experienced midwife and may then receive advice, treatment, a management plan or referral to the obstetric team or another specialist service.
Multiple referral routes available
Access to the MDAU can follow several pathways. Women may self-refer, while referrals can also come from GPs, the Antenatal Clinic, the Fetal Assessment Unit, or antenatal and postnatal inpatient teams requiring outpatient monitoring or further investigation.
Continuity of care for women and families
The maternity team also supports the Early Pregnancy Unit and the weekly High-Risk Antenatal Clinic. The clinic works closely with the specialist high-risk service at University Hospital Galway, helping women access additional expertise when required.
Hospital representatives said the unit has strengthened patient experience and service delivery. Continuity is supported by women often seeing familiar midwives during visits, allowing care to be more personalised and consistent.
One patient, Gillian Harte, described attending the unit for five weeks for monitoring, assessment and treatment without needing admission. She said the support and reassurance from the midwives made a difficult period easier.
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How to contact the Portiuncula MDAU
Women with concerns about their pregnancy are encouraged to contact the Maternity Day Assessment Unit for advice about accessing the service. For information on opening hours and referral arrangements, Portiuncula University Hospital can be contacted on 090 964 8618.
The service forms part of wider Health Service Executive (HSE) efforts to deliver accessible, patient-centred maternity care in the most suitable setting.
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Key takeaway
The Maternity Day Assessment Unit at Portiuncula University Hospital is improving access to specialist maternity care by providing assessment and follow-up in a dedicated outpatient setting. For women experiencing pregnancy-related concerns, contacting the unit directly can help them receive appropriate guidance and timely support.
Article/Image Courtesy: HSE
