A new €1.5 million Medical Assessment Unit in Bon Secours Hospital, Dublin, which provides patients with immediate access to expert medical assessment and treatment for a range of conditions has been officially opened.
The redeveloped Unit, part of a €150 million investment in the Bon Secours Health System, includes 10 new beds and in 2018 treated 2,000 patients. Led by Internal Medical Consultant Dr Geraldine Hosny and Clinical Nurse Manager Leah Duggan, the MAU is the latest part of significant refurbishment and service development at the hospital in recent years, and now provides GP-referred patients with rapid access to expert consultants, state-of-the-art facilities, timely treatment for a variety of diseases and sicknesses, and a hospital bed if required.
Patients have tim access to diagnostics, endoscopy and through the Chest Pain pathway in the unit, cardiac evaluation and access to cardiology intervention in the Cathlab for a range of procedures if required.
Speaking at the official opening, Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform, Paschal Donohoe TD, said: “Bon Secours Hospital Dublin has been embedded in the local community of Glasnevin and north Dublin for nearly 70 years now.
“The hospital is renowned for excellence in its healthcare services and the opening of this unit is a welcome development that will further meet the healthcare needs of the people in this area and beyond. It again enhances the important role this hospital plays in north Dublin healthcare and I congratulate all involved at Bon Secours for making this innovative project a reality.”
Bill Maher, Group CEO of the Bon Secours Health System, said: “Our new MAU provides patients with vital and same-day expert healthcare services for a range of medical issues, meaning many patients can get timely treatment for conditions that would otherwise require them to go to A&E.
“This new Unit is just one of many positive recent developments taking place here in Glasnevin and follows the complete redevelopment of the Orthopaedic Theatre, now one of the most advanced in the country, the renovation of our Urology Centre which now offers the most innovative, cutting-edge technology in that field, as well as the development of our JAG-accredited Endoscopy Unit. It further builds on the Bon Secours Health System’s strong tradition of combining the latest medical technologies and approaches with compassionate and personalised medical care.”
Mike Tonery, Hospital Manager, Bon Secours Hospital Dublin, said: “We welcome the Minister today to officially open the Medical Assessment Unit. The unit has already proven to be a great success in providing same-day no-delay access to expert medical care. The recent introduction of the Chest Pain pathway with same-day access to diagnostics and cardiology intervention in the Cath lab has been transformational for cardiology patients referred to the Unit. In addition, existing services such as cancer care, cardiology and orthopaedics are growing strongly and we have just received planning permission for a new day oncology and surgical wards so it is very exciting times at the Bon Secours Hospital Dublin.”
Peter Lacy, Chairperson of the Bon Secours Health System, said: “This is a proud day for the Glasnevin hospital, the Bon Secours Health System generally and all our staff. I am extremely pleased that such an important local stakeholder as Minister Donohoe has been able to spare the time to join us here today to officially open what is a ground-breaking healthcare development for the community. Part of Bon Secours Health System’s €150 million investment in all our hospitals as part of our ambitious 2020 Strategy Plan, this new Unit will further enhance our capacity to deliver advanced medicine and exceptional care in a world-class, modern environment. And with our merger now imminent with one of the largest health groups in the US, Bon Secours Mercy Health, our ability to provide advanced medicine and exceptional care will be enhanced through collaboration with and access to the expertise and technology of our US partner.”
The new Glasnevin MAU provides patients referred by a GP with immediate access to expert assessment and treatment across a range of areas including, but not limited to, chest pain or cardiac problems, respiratory conditions, flu-like illnesses, collapse or mini-stroke (TIAs), anaemia, infections such as cellulitis, urinary tract or kidney infections, acute gastrointestinal problems, diabetes or thyroid diseases and rheumatology disorders.
Bon Secours Hospital Dublin employs over 600 staff and has a consultant staff of over 150. It is a teaching hospital of the Royal College of Surgeons and Dublin City University Nursing programme and has been a leader in healthcare excellence and meeting patient needs since 1951. In 2002, the hospital was the first internationally-accredited hospital in Ireland when it achieved JCI Accreditation.
Bon Secours Hospital Dublin is part of the Bon Secours Health System which includes hospitals in Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick and Tralee, a care home in Cork and a consultants clinic in Cavan which is an outreach clinic connected to the hospital in Glasnevin.
