Minister for Health formally opens new dedicated Eye Emergency Department at the Mater Hospital
New facility has resulted in significant decongestion of ophthalmology outpatients department
A new Eye Emergency Department (EED) was formally opened by the Minister for Health, Mr Simon Harris, at the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin on Tuesday 6th September.
The opening of the EED represents Phase 1 of the planned development of the ophthalmology department at the hospital. Phase 2 of the development, which has been approved by Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG), is to build an expanded outpatient department, a diagnostics department, a new ophthalmology ward (to include in-patient beds, a day ward, an injection suite and laser rooms) and a new operating suite.
Opening the new EED, Minister Harris said “The opening of this Eye Emergency Department is testament to the determination of staff and management at the hospital to move forward, to continuously improve, and to deliver the best outcomes for patients. I know it will have a major positive impact for other hospital departments and I’m very glad to attend today’s event.”
Speaking at the launch, Mr Tim Fulcher, Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the Mater Misercordiae University Hospital said,
“We are delighted to have this much needed new facility up and running at the Mater Hospital. The Eye Emergency Department sees over 12,000 patients per year, a figure which has been increasing year-on-year. To date, these patients have been seen in the setting of the ophthalmology outpatient department which has resulted in serious overcrowding issues. The opening of this new facility has immediately resulted in a significant decongestion in the outpatients department.”
Mr Fulcher highlighted that among the improvements to services at the new facility is the development of an electronic patient record for the EED visit, resulting in reduced administrative burden and facilitates audit. The electronic patient record also automatically generates a discharge letter which is sent to the referring GP.
The Eye Emergency Department at the Mater Hospital is open from 8am to 4pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these hours, patients present through the main emergency department or by prior arrangement with the on-call doctor.
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30th September 2016