27% increase in patients at Mater Private emergency department in Cork

More than 7,500 patients attended the Mater Private emergency departments in Dublin and Cork last year – a 27% increase in Cork and 6% in Dublin, compared to the previous year.

There were 1,020 same-day consultant appointments arranged in the Dublin and Cork hospitals last year.

Over the year there were more than 40,000 treatments for cancer-related illnesses undertaken at the hospitals. The Mater Private Cancer Centre diagnosed and treated 908 cancers last year, with prostate, breast and gynaecological cancers the most commonly diagnosed. The group also has a specialist radiotherapy treatment centre on the grounds of University Hospital Limerick.

The Mater Private 2018 annual review also shows that more than 6,000 patients accessed the Mater Private's urgent cardiac care facilities in Dublin and Cork.

In Dublin, more than half (52%) of the patients attending the cardiac care service were walk-ins and 12% attended out-of-hours. The Mater Private Cork urgent cardiac care service had a 44% increase in the number of patients attending.

There was an 8% increase in orthopaedic procedures at the Mater Private Cork, with 456 hip and 298 knee replacements performed last year. Same-day hip replacement became a reality last year at the Mater Private Dublin. Up to 25% of hip replacement patients may be suitable for this type of surgery – typically such patients are fit, healthy and younger.

The Mater Private is increasingly treating patients from across the border due to lengthy orthopaedic surgery waiting lists in Northern Ireland.

Last year, more than 400 patients from orthopaedic waiting lists in Northern Ireland contacted the hospital's spine and orthopaedic centre as part of the EU Cross Border Initiative. Seven out of 10 consultations led to a decision to undertake a surgical procedure, with hip and knee replacements the most common.

A patient satisfaction survey by the Mater Private Dublin showed that 93% of patients would recommend the hospital. Almost every patient (96.7%) was satisfied with the skill of the physicians and the friendliness and courtesy of the nursing staff (96%).

The Mater Private Cork implemented a number of improvements based on patient feedback last year. One issue addressed was the perceived lack of privacy at admission because of patient names being called ut in the busy waiting area. Patients are now offered a pager on arrival to alert the holder when the office is ready to start their admission.

Chief executive of the Mater Private Healthcare Group, John Hurley, said the group's successful year was largely due to patients wanting to be treated in their hospitals:

The success for the group in 2018 reflects patients voting with their feet and choosing a hospital with a strong reputation for healthcare delivery and one committed to providing fast access to new and innovative treatments.

The group's chief operations manager, Caroline Whelan, said they work hard to provide patients with the highest quality care and best outcomes: “We remain committed to the effective and efficient delivery of care, particularly by offering greater flexibility to meet the needs of our patients, through initiatives like our same-day consultant appointments."