The HSE has published reviews of maternity units at Cavan/Monaghan General Hospital and South Tipperary General Hospital - saying the findings support the current acute hospital reform programme.

The Assurance Reviews found that small hospitals can't operate in isolation as stand alone entities - either clinically or financially.

They also found that the development of maternity networks needs to be fast tracked.

The reviews were commissioned after the publication of a HIQA report into maternity services at the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise - both Cavan/Monaghan and South Tipperary hospitals were selected as a sample of the country's maternity services.