Mater may use nearby military hospital

THE Mater Hospital in Dublin says it is “extremely interested” in a plan to use empty beds in a nearby military hospital to alleviate overcrowding in its accident and emergency department.

The possibility of using St Bricin’s Military Hospital, which is about 3km from the Mater and has up to 100 beds available, is being urgently assessed by the major acute city hospital and the local health authority.

Soldiers’ representative group, PDFORRA, have no objection in principle to the plan but insist that their members continue to have access to free medical care.

Founder and spokesperson of Patient’s Together, Janette Byrne, welcomed the development and believed the military hospital could be used for the treatment of minor injuries and as a recovery unit for patients who no longer required acute care.

Meanwhile, Tánaiste and Minister for Health, Mary Harney has claimed the plan had been instigated by her department and not by Defence Minister Willie O’Dea.

St Bricin’s has two operating theatres, radiology facilities and laboratory facilities but just four military patients. An inspection was being carried out yesterday to see if it was suitable for public patients.