Donohoe welcomes opening of state-of-the-art Mater Hospital A&E

Fine Gael Dublin Central Deputy, Paschal Donohoe, has welcomed the recent opening of a state-of-the-art A&E department at the Mater Hospital, saying it will lead to an improved hospital experience for the people attending there.

“For too long, the A&E facilities at the Mater were completely inadequate, with those who were presenting at the hospital being treated in an antiquated building. At last, this has been brought to an end with the opening, at the weekend, of a brand new accident and emergency department that is equipped to meet the needs of the patients.

“Despite the challenging economic times we find ourselves in, it is fantastic that this multi-million euro investment has been made. The Mater is the main hospital on the northside of Dublin and, being so close to the city centre, has a considerable volume of traffic passing through. Last April, the Minister for Health, Dr. James Reilly TD, opened the first phase of the new Mater Hospital and at this weekend the new A&E became operational. Local residents and those that the hospital serves are delighted that their hospital is no longer being ignored and that much needed funds are being made available to ensure the delivery of adequate services.

“Minister Reilly is working assiduously to turn our ailing healthcare service around. While this will not happen overnight, we are starting to see real signs of change in terms of the number of people waiting on trolleys, which was down nationally by 24% last year when compared to 2011, and waiting times which have also been dramatically reduced.

“We will be moving to a system of Universal Health Insurance which will bring an end, once and for all, to the inequitable two tier health system that fostered under Fianna Fáil and to ensuring that all of our people receive the treatment they require based on need and not on their ability to pay.

“I am delighted that the people of the northside finally have an A&E that is fit for purpose. Everyone who has played a part in bringing this project to fruition should be commended for their efforts which have now clearly paid off.”

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