Busy Dublin hospital warns public to avoid emergency department visits due to major IT issue

The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital in Dublin has appealed to the public to avoid its emergency department where possible, as it is currently experiencing a systems problem which means that it cannot access patients’ Electronic Health Records.

In a statement, a hospital spokesperson said that patients who present to the ED with non-urgent conditions are likely to experience lengthy waiting times to be seen.

The Mater’s Rapid Injury Clinic in Smithfield has also been impacted and is currently closed.

READ MORE - Five men handed life sentences for 'horrible' murder of father-of-seven Tom Dooley

"The hospital has advised patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other minor injury units or their GP, but said that any patient in need of emergency hospital care will be seen" a spokesperson said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, the Mater’s Rapid Injury Clinic in Smithfield has also been impacted and is currently closed.

“Where possible, the Mater advises patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service such as other minor injury units or their GP. However, any patient who is in need of emergency hospital care will be seen and the Mater would urge such patients not to delay and to seek such care.

“All other outpatient appointments are unaffected at this time and patients should attend as anticipated.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this causes to the public and wish to assure our patients that the hospital is doing everything it can to rectify the issue as quickly as possible.”