Mayo University Hospital welcomes progress on expansion plans

Mayo University Hospital (MUH) has welcomed progress in developing a new two-story extension.

The plans will include an extension of the Emergency Department (ED) and new Acute Medical Assessment Unit (AMAU).

The extension of the ED is at Ground Floor, with a new Acute Medical Assessment Unit on the first floor.

The new ED facilities will be constructed in the courtyard connecting into the existing ED, which will undergo major refurbishment.

Welcoming the progress, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly said: “This ED expansion and the provision of a new Acute Medical Assessment Unit will ensure more capacity for urgent care and better outcomes for the people of Mayo. It is another important step in the provision of better health care for our communities.” 

The ED extension will provide additional patient cubicles including isolation facilities, gynecology treatment suite and associated staff and clinical support facilities. 

The extension will support full separation of adult and paediatric care. 

There will also be significant improvement in streaming of patients and resuscitation facilities for critically unwell patients presenting to the hospital.

The ground floor has a single story section to provide extra support accommodation for the emergency department.

At first floor is the Acute Medical Assessment Unit, designed to support the ongoing development of the acute medical programme with patient assessment cubicles, isolation facilities, and private spaces for patient consultations. 

The unit is linked directly into the inpatient services and will form part of an acute unit, and will receive patients directly from general practitioners, as well as appropriate patients from the ED. 

The development also includes a new ambulance entrance, with works carried out to the existing drop-off / set-down area providing increased Emergency Vehicle capacity.

Catherine Donohoe, Hospital Manager at MUH said they are ‘delighted’ to be progressing this ‘essential project’,  which will have a ‘transformative impact’ for both the hospital, and patient experience.

She added: “It will support staff to provide high quality care in an efficient and effective way. The dual development will result in having the right patients in the right place and giving assured pathways for our patient and good access for our GP colleagues. It will assist us in meeting the growing service demands while providing an improved environment for our staff as well as our patients.”

There are multiple phases of works planned to deliver this project, with the first enabling works anticipated to commence construction by mid-2024. Construction of the main building extension works is anticipated to commence by mid next year.

Welcoming the progress, Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer, HSE West and North West, concluded: “The expansion of the ED is a huge step forward in our plans to develop more capacity for the region. We have a vision for our health services which will lead to better health outcomes for our communities.”