Nenagh Hospital hub to play a leading role in the provision of fertility treatment
A new fertility service for the Mid West has commenced operations at Nenagh Hospital.
A reproductive medicine consultant has been appointed to lead this service following a successful recruitment process. A clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and a medical scientist have also been appointed in Nenagh as part of this service development.
In recent weeks, patients from around the region have been screened for their suitability for the service, which is accessed through GP referral. CNS-led virtual clinics have been taking place in recent weeks to assess suitable patients. In-person fertility clinics will commence in Nenagh in October.
These fertility services will be provided to patients within the UL Hospitals Group catchment area of Limerick, Clare and north Tipperary, including the towns of Nenagh, Roscrea, Templemore and Thurles.
Services in south Tipperary (Clonmel, Cashel, Carrick-on-Suir) will be provided through the South West Hospitals Group.
The GP is the first port of call for someone experiencing fertility problems and will refer you to your regional fertility hub.
These new services being developed in the Mid West form part of the overall Regional Hub for Women’s Health at Nenagh Hospital, which is located in the new outpatients development and commenced a phased opening in March 2022. Facilities include a procedure room, a hybrid consulting area and interchangeable consultation/ultrasound rooms.
Supported by the Women’s Health Taskforce and the HSE National Women’s and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP), the initiative includes ambulatory gynaecology and menopause services as well as the new fertility service.
The ambulatory gynaecology unit 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.
In addition, a specialist menopause clinic opened at the centre in May 2022 as part of the continued development of the women’s health centre.
If people are experiencing fertility issues, they should contact their GP as the first step. Their GP can do some initial tests and provide advice on fertility issues.
The GP can then refer people who meet the access criteria to one of the Regional Fertility Hubs for further tests, investigations and treatments.
Many people who attend the Regional Fertility Hubs may not need to be referred for further advanced fertility treatments as treatments provided in the hubs will manage their fertility challenges.
The six Regional Fertility Hubs are based in maternity networks in:
- National Maternity Hospital, Dublin
- Rotunda Hospital, Dublin
- Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, Dublin
- Galway University Hospital
- Cork University Maternity Hospital
- Nenagh General Hospital as part of Limerick University Maternity Hospital.