Private hospital in Cork closes emergency department 

The Mater Private Hospital in Cork is to temporarily close its Emergency Department (ED) with immediate effect.

It is understood that the hospital is in talks with the HSE regarding possible use of the Mater’s capacity and resources in the fight against Covid-19.

A text sent to Cork healthcare workers from the Mater Private on Tuesday morning at around 10am said:

“Due to the unprecedented developments in our country and in light of evolving government preparations in response to Covid-19, Mater Private Hospital Cork is temporarily closing its Emergency Department with immediate effect.

“These unprecedented measures are being taken to protect our staff and our patients and to position the Mater Private Cork to provide support for the prioritised needs of the overall community for the forthcoming weeks.” 

Normally, the ED at the Mater Private Cork provides care for a wide range of illnesses and injury, including respiratory and cardiac complaints, acute medical and surgical emergencies, sports injuries and urological emergencies.

The hospital has been contacted for comment about its decision to close the ED and its plans to support the government’s preparations in response to Covid-19.

The decision to close the ED comes after the number of Covid-19 cases in Ireland crossed the 1,000 cases threshold.

There have been 1,125 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Ireland, including dozens in Cork, and six people with Covid-19 have died.