Cork midwife set to retire after 40 years exceptional service
Cork midwife Margaret O’Driscoll is set to retire from Cork University Maternity Hospital, after four decades caring for babies, writes EMMA CONNOLLY
Margaret O’Driscoll (Clinical Midwife Manager 2) at the Neo-natal Unit at CUMH. Picture: Gerard McCarthy
Emma Connolly
“THE one place I did not want to work was the neo-natal ward, simply because babies aren’t able to tell you what’s wrong with them.”
So recalls Margaret O’Driscoll, who in fact ended up spending 40 years in the very same place, where she could read the little ones in her care like a book.
Partners will no longer be able to attend the 20-week scan at University Hospital Waterford from Monday.
The South/South West Hospital Group says there is a need to minimise footfall to their maternity units, to limit the risk of the virus spreading.
They say they are very mindful of the distress these restrictions may cause and that they will be reviewed on a weekly basis.
The group issued a statement this morning saying, “Due to the surge in COVID-19 infections and the move to Level 5 restrictions, we regret that from Monday, 11th January, partners will not be able to attend the routine 20-22 week anatomy scan at the four Maternity Hospitals/units in the South/South West Hospital Group (Cork University Maternity Hospital, and maternity units in University Hospital Waterford, University Hospital Kerry and South Tipperary General Hospital).
th).
This decision was made due to the surge in COVID-19 infections and the return to Level 5 restrictions.
This policy will be across all South/South West Hospitals.
The South/South West Hospital Group has maternity wards and units in University Hospital Kerry, Cork University Maternity Hospital, University Hospital Waterford and South Tipperary General Hospital.
The hospital group says it fully understands how challenging visiting restrictions at the four maternity hospitals have been.
However, it says in light of the move to Level 5 restrictions and the increased rate of transmission within the community there is a need to minimise footfall to its maternity units, to limit the risk of the virus spreading; the group says the safety of women, their babies and maternity staff is central to the provision of its maternity services which must be continuously available when required.
Covid-positive mother overjoyed as gives birth to first baby of 2021
Jennifer McWilliams tested positive for Covid-19 on December 22 despite having no symptoms
Jennifer McWilliams with Brody: We cannot believe that he is the first baby born in Ireland in 2021
Sat, 02 Jan, 2021 - 21:35
Liz Dunphy
The first baby born in Ireland in 2021 was little Brody McWilliam Brown, whose mum had recently tested positive for Covid-19. He s great. He s doing so well, his mum Jennifer McWilliams told the Irish Examiner from the National Maternity Hospital. It s a bit crazy. You want to leave all that [Covid-19] in 2020 but the first baby born was to a mum who had it.
elaine@TheCork.ie
Ahead of the Christmas break and as the number of Covid-19 cases are increasing across the country, management at South/South West Hospital Group (which includes
Cork University Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Mercy University Hospital, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Bantry General Hospital, Mallow General Hospital) are appealing to members of the public to follow the Government’s new Covid-19 guidelines that were announced yesterday to ensure that they do not contribute to the spread of the coronavirus.
As announced by the Government, the S/SWHG are urging members of the public not to make any unnecessary journeys outside their county from 26th December until 12th January 2021 and to take action by reducing their social contacts and keeping their distance from others. Management at the hospitals acknowledge that staying at home and staying isolated during the Christmas period will be very difficult. Nevertheless, hospitals want to