An Tánaiste Simon Coveney TD officially opened the extension of the Radiology Department Bon Secours Hospital Cork.
Speaking at the event to mark the expansion of the radiology service at the hospital, An Tánaiste Coveney said: “The additional radiology capacity for patients who require various types of scans is very welcome and will be of great assistance to GPs. This new development in radiology services is in addition to the building of a new Cardiac Cath Lab in recent times.
“The new state of the art MRI open system is great for patients in that the MRI is a faster examination and much less claustrophobic. The additional CT scanner will reduce waiting times for patients in the greater Munster area, which is very welcome.’’
Harry Canning, Hospital Manager Bon Secours Hospital Cork, said: “We are delighted that An Tánaiste has marked the expansion of the radiology department at the hospital. The very busy radiology department is supported by highly trained specialist staff and we are very pleased that we will be further able to assist GPs and their patients with our services.
“In the region of €4.5 million has been spent on the modernising of the department and the purchase of world-class equipment. The new equipment markedly increases our capacity and will facilitate same-day appointments and scan results for patients.’’
An Tánaiste also opened the Paediatric Assessment Unit at Bon Secours Hospital Cork. The Paediatric Assessment Unit is the second phase in the development of the hospital’s plans to provide urgent care for patients; a Medical Assessment Unit was opened in 2015.
Speaking at the event to mark the expansion of the service, An Tánaiste Coveney said: “The Paediatric Assessment Unit at the Bon Secours Hospital Cork is providing a valuable service for GPs and their Paediatric patients that require urgent medical care.
“This new Paediatric Assessment Unit at the hospital provides GPs and parents with rapid access to consultants in emergency and paediatric medicine and immediate access to state of the art diagnostics and a hospital bed if required. The unit marks an important step forward in providing a greater level of healthcare for sick children across the Munster region.”
Harry Canning, Hospital Manager Bon Secours Hospital Cork, said: “We welcome An Tánaiste to officially mark the expansion of the paediatric services at the hospital and the development of the Paediatric Assessment Unit. The unit has been a great success in providing rapid access to urgent medical care for paediatric patients in Cork and the wider Munster region.
“We expect that the Paediatric Assessment Unit will grow by 10% per annum over the coming years. To support the expansion of the paediatric service, additional specialist staff – as in consultants and nursing staff in particular – have joined the hospital.’’
The Paediatric Assessment Unit is open to children (28 days to 16 years) five days a week, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Attendance is by way of GP referral. Over 800 children have been treated in the unit in the past number of months with those requiring a hospital bed admitted swiftly.
Photos: Gerard McCarthy Photography
