3 May 2017
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Cork has a private ‘Emergency Department’ which does not accept ambulances. It is located within the Mater Private Hospital in the City Gate complex, in Mahon.
According to the General Manager at Mater Private Cork, Donna Roche “We have 20-30 beds available every day for acute patient admissions through the Emergency Department…. ensuring a seamless patient journey and access to our high quality, acute clinical infrastructure including Diagnostic Radiology – CT, MRI, Ultrasound, X-Ray, Urgent Cardiac Care and Acute General Surgery.”
New stats released this week revealed that the Emergency Department at Mater Private Hospital Cork has seen over 8000 patients during its first year, treating a mix of medical, surgical and minor injuries since it opened in April 2016.
The majority of patients who attended the Emergency Department were referred by their family doctor for assessment, with the view to admission as required.
Many patients with fractures and surgical needs have needed access to the Mater Private Cork’s theatre and Endoscopy Suites on the same day as admission.
Respiratory and cardiac complaints, acute medical and surgical emergencies, sports injuries and urological emergencies are among the most common cases presented by patients.
The ED’s Emergency Consultant is Dr Oisin Powell. The Emergency Department provides care for a wide range of illnesses and injury to patients aged 16 and over while major trauma cases or patients in emergency ambulances are not accepted.
Mater Private Cork has doubled its capacity over the past 15 months and the opening of the Emergency Department and a new ward have led to an increase in staffing levels in a number of medical and administrative areas. Further expansion plans are at an advanced stage.
