Mater Private Network Cork Boosts Emergency Care Capacity by 30% with Latest Expansion Project

Mater Private Network proudly unveiled its newly expanded Emergency Department (ED) and Urgent Cardiac Care facility in Cork on Thursday 31st October. This infrastructure project increases capacity for emergency patient care by 30% and significantly enhances emergency and urgent cardiac care capabilities in Cork and the wider Munster region. 

With this recent expansion, Mater Private Network, Cork’s premier private Emergency Department at City Gate, Mahon, now boasts new features designed to improve patient care, including a dedicated GP helpline. The ED is co-located with Urgent Cardiac Care services to streamline consultant-led and delivered treatment and accessibility to same-day diagnostics. This includes rapid access to onsite expertise in key specialties such as general medicine, surgery, cardiology, urology, pain management, spinal surgery and orthopaedics.

"Through this progressive expansion, we are providing the people of Cork and the wider Munster region with unique private emergency medicine and urgent cardiac care options for their clinical needs," said Professor Fergal Cummins, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at the Emergency Department at Mater Private Network, Cork. "Working closely with colleagues from both primary and secondary care, and acute hospitals, this expansion in services will provide timely options for patients who don’t require acute treatment in the public hospital system. Working in collaboration with the Urgent Cardiac Care service, we know our patients will benefit from expert multidisciplinary assessment and the convenience of immediate diagnostic support. As the only service of its kind in Cork, we are very proud to bring this enhanced facility online for local communities here in Munster.”

The purpose-built co-located ED and Urgent Cardiac Care floor prioritises both patient comfort and operational efficiency, creating an environment that supports seamless, integrated care. This expansion will help to reduce use of public EDs and enables onward referral to treatment provided by over 80 world-class consultants for efficient patient assessment and care. Additionally, the dedicated GP helpline provides a direct line for GPs to consult with a senior nurse specialist to ensure appropriate triage and treatment direction, before patients even reach the hospital.

The expanded facility offers patients the peace of mind that comes with collaborative expertise. In cases such as chest pain, where symptoms may stem from underlying causes like cardiac issues or pneumonia, the ED and Urgent Cardiac Care teams’ close collaboration ensures an efficient diagnosis and treatment plan for patients, right from their initial visit.

Sandra Daly, CEO of Mater Private Network, Cork extended her gratitude to the staff at the new facility opening: "Our new Emergency Department and Urgent Cardiac Care facility is a wonderful example of our dedication to continuously improving healthcare in Cork. When emergencies arise, swift and reliable care should not be seen as a luxury. With this newly expanded service, we aim to ensure that patients are assessed quickly and accurately, receiving the most appropriate care for their unique needs. It’s thanks to our dedicated team, our partners and the support of the community that we are able to bring such a comprehensive offering to the region, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our colleagues for their efforts.”

Patients are encouraged to visit the Mater Private Network website for information on access, service hours and contact details, and those with urgent conditions can consult the dedicated helpline to ensure that the services they need are available upon arrival. 

This expansion aligns with Mater Private Network's commitment to providing accessible, world-class healthcare for the Cork region, ensuring patients are supported with expert care, no matter their health concerns. 

Learn more about the services available at Mater Private Network in Cork.