New Medical Assessment Unit launches Waterford City hospital

UPMC Whitfield Hospital has launched a new consultant-led Medical Admissions Unit.

The new unit will provide faster access to hospital-level care for patients whose conditions are urgent but not life-threatening and referred directly by their GP.

UPMC Whitfield Hospital General Manager Gwen Daniels said the new unit will mean more care options for patients across the South East.

“Our goal is to reduce waiting times and improve the overall patient experience, while ensuring urgent medical issues are treated quickly and appropriately. 

"We’re delighted to offer this new access point for care to people across the South East,” said Ms Daniels.

Emergency cases will still be directed to the nearest emergency department.

But the new MAU will mean faster access to blood tests, X-ray, CT and MRI scans.

The unit will be able to see patients with conditions like exacerbations of COPD or asthma, pneumonia, fever, vomiting illness, cellulitis, heart failure, urosepsis, and patients needing long-term IV antibiotics.

If admission to the hospital is necessary, the process will be streamlined, as will communication between GPs and specialists.

The MAU is not suitable for patients with acute abdomen, pregnancy, life-threatening emergencies like stroke, cardiac arrest, trauma, or mental health crises, or patients needing ambulance transfer without GP referral.

“This new Medical Admissions Unit ensures patients can access timely, expert care without the delays often associated with traditional hospital admissions. 

"By streamlining the referral process and providing direct access to diagnostics and specialist oversight, we are improving both the patient journey and GP collaboration,” said Ms Daniels.