UPDATE: HSE says efforts will be made to continue midwifery-led community clinics in Kildare
The agency also apologised to women who had their appointments changed at short notice
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has given assurances that efforts will be made to continue midwifery-led community clinics in South Kildare.
The announcement follows after the Leinster Leader reported earlier today (May 21) that An Taoiseach Michéal Martin said he was committed to resolving the sudden cancellation of midwife services in Athy.
His comments followed after KFM reported on Monday, May 19 last that some staff at Athy Primary Care Centre were unaware of the sudden suspension of a midwife-led service, and only found out after local women contacted them.
Now, the HSE's Dublin and Midlands branch has provided the following response to the Leader regarding the situation: "Midwifery services in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise have confirmed that the midwifery-led antenatal clinics will be operating as normal from next week in Athy Primary Care Centre and Portarlington Primary Care Centre.
"The hospital is contacting women directly."
The HSE also said that "all efforts will be made to continue with the midwifery led community clinics without interruption", including enhancing the recruitment of midwifery workforce.
"We apologise to the women who had the appointment changed at short notice this week," the HSE added.