Mater becomes latest hospital to cancel non-essential work due to rising Covid-19 cases

The Mater in Dublin has become the latest hospital to cancel non-essential work due to rising Covid-19 cases.

The hospital said it was limiting activity to essential services only from Friday evening. Outpatient appointments and elective surgeries will be “curtailed” until further notice.

A spokeswoman expressed regret but said the new arrangements were necessary to deal with the impact of the latest wave of the virus.

Patients whose appointments are being deferred will be contacted by phone. “Unless you receive a telephone call, please attend your appointment as normal,” the spokeswoman said.

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The hospitals emergency department is also extremely busy with high numbers attending, and patients with non-emergency conditions are experiencing long waits. Apologising for the “inconvenience”, the spokeswoman advised patients to seek help from their GPs or local injury clinic “where possible” unless they think they need hospital care.

"Our staff across every part of the hospital are working around the clock to deal with the virus, care for those infected and to protect and care for other patients in the hospital. The Mater Hospital is employing all infection control measures and every effort is being made to manage and control the spread of the virus."

The only visitors who are allowed on campus are those visiting patients in critical care, vulnerable young adults, or those whose loved ones are receiving end of life care. No children are permitted to visit the hospital “under any circumstances”.

Children's Health Ireland (CHI) has announced the cancellation of some non-urgent elective in-patient and day case procedures at Dublin's Crumlin, Tallaght, and Temple Street hospitals next week.

It said this was due to extremely high numbers of attendances to emergency departments and the urgent care centre.

All out-patient appointments will proceed as scheduled, CHI said.