Ennis Hospital Medical Assessment Unit opens to relieve pressure on UHL

ENNIS Hospital has begun the process of relieving the stress of overcrowding plaguing University Hospital Limerick.

A ULHG spokespersons said that the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) pathway for 112/999 patients being introduced in Ennis Hospital and the Mid -West was successfully trialled in North Cork and Mallow General Hospital in 2022.

It allows stable medical patients that meet the agreed clinical criteria to be treated in a Model 2 hospital. A key element is a telephone referral from the treating paramedic to the receiving MAU doctor, which ensures that the right patient is brought to the MAU.

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This pathway will result in patients receiving medical treatment in a hospital closer to their home, will reduce patient presentations to Emergency Departments and will release ambulances more quickly to respond to other emergency calls.

112/999 patients that do not meet these clinical criteria will continue to be transported to Emergency Departments for assessment and treatment.

In Ennis Hospital, this pathway will commenced on January 9.

The Medical Assessment Unit in Ennis Hospital treats patients referred by GPs, ShannonDoc and now NAS paramedics. 

"It is essential that unwell medical patients do not attend the MAU without a referral," a spokesperson added.