Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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245. To ask the Minister for Health why the emergency department in the Mater Hospital in Dublin 1 has been asking sick and injured persons to stay away; if he is aware that it is less than three years since the new emergency department opened, and that persons were promised that this would lead to an end to chaos and waiting times for procedures; the reason for the closure and restrictions; the immediate actions that will be taken to ensure that it is fully open and when it will open. [3527/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Hospital Emergency Departments, including the Mater Hospital Emergency Department, have been exceptionally busy over recent days. This has led to significant delays for patients attending the Emergency Department and for those waiting for admission to a hospital bed. The hospital requested that the public, where possible, would attend their GP in the first instance, or the Rapid Injury Clinic in Smithfield for minor injuries. Those that did attend the Emergency Department at the Hospital would be managed according to their medical priority.

In line with the agreed ED escalation procedures, the Mater Hospital also postponed a number of non-urgent (elective) procedures to help alleviate pressures in the Emergency Department.

With regard to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, this is a matter for the Health Service Executive; therefore I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.