New unit opened at Connolly Hospital

TANAISTE Joan Burton and Minister for Health Leo Varadkar officially opened the new Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU) and MRI service at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown last week.

The new

?¬2 million MRI facility will enhance the diagnostic capabilities of radiology in the Hospital and has been described as

“a significant development

?.

Patients now have quicker access to MRI and as they no longer need to be transferred to other hospitals for scans their length of stay should also be reduced.

The new MRI service is operating Monday to Friday and will provide inpatient and urgent out-patient scans.

The primary purpose of the AMAU is to provide urgent assessment and care for patients with medical conditions. The new eight-bed unit is open five days per week and treats patients triaged directly from the hospital’s Emergency Department.

The AMAU is led by the Clinical Leads for Acute Medicine, Dr Eamon Dolan, Consultant Geriatrician and Dr Liam Cormican, Consultant Respiratory Physician.

Speaking at the opening, Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said:

“The new MRI and Acute Medical Assessment Unit in Connolly Hospital is welcome news for the patients attending the hospital and the staff working there.

“The unit will play a pivotal role in relieving pressure in other areas of the hospital, especially the emergency department, thereby providing a far greater and immediate service for patients from minimising delays to establishing early diagnosis, enhanced radiology facilities and access to MRI scans in the hospital.

?

The Tánaiste congratulated Dr Dolan, Dr Cormican and the entire team in the new AMAU.

“I wish them and the staff working in the associated departments every success as they continue to provide a quality care service for the patients using Connolly Hospital.

?

Minister Leo Varadkar described the opening of the MRI suite and the AMAU as

“further evidence of the Government’s commitment to Connolly Hospital and to improving health services nationwide.

?

“Having an MRI suite in Blanchardstown cuts out unnecessary transfers to other hospitals, while the AMAU is already taking pressure off A&E,

? he added.

The

?¬1million AMAU, which is being implemented as part of the HSE’s National Acute Medicine Programme, is located close to the Emergency Department at Connolly. It replaces the temporary AMAU that had been in place for two years.

Hospital Manager Mary Walshe, also welcomed the opening of the new services.

“The AMAU provides rapid assessment, diagnosis and early management based on the patients’ needs,

? she continued.

“The location of the new unit leads to better patient flow between the Emergency Department and the AMAU.

“Since its opening 481 patients have been treated in the AMAU, meeting the key performance indicators as set out by the Acute Medicine Programme for the new unit.

?

Walshe also confirmed that the MRI service has reduced the length of hospital stay and enabled acutely ill patients to access the appropriate diagnostic service on site.

“These are welcome developments which enables Connolly Hospital to deliver on improved patient care,

? she added.