Cavan Hospital ramps-up Covid winter prep

MAJOR Project to extend Emergency Department gets underway

Cavan General Hospital is ramping up its preparations for the Winter flu season to counter any potential rise in COVID-19 infections.

Construction workers will move on site this week to begin work on the long-awaited extension to the hospital’s Emergency Department.

The Anglo-Celt understands high-level discussions between senior management and heads of departments have commenced, to include vaccinations, at an earlier stage than in previous years.

Those levels of preparedness will be stepped up further come September to prepare the hospital for any surge in need for treatment. A clear set of protocols for management and staff and safe pathways to care will also be reaffirmed.

The meeting to mitigate COVID-19 challenges took place recently, with further meetings scheduled to take place in the coming weeks and months.

Last week the hospital had one Coronavirus positive patient in care, far below the peak of almost 40 positive patients at the local facility during the height of the pandemic.

Following an outbreak of COVID-19 among patients and staff at CGH earlier in the year, restrictions were placed on Medical Wards 1 and 2; while Surgical 1 and Surgical 2 were used as dedicated wards to treat “positive” patients only. But the level of COVID-19 admissions has since fallen.

The enhancement of ED facilities will see the addition of a second resuscitation room, additional clinical administration area, and a new waiting area. The process of engaging a design team was initiated prior to the pandemic, with the project approved back in November 2019.

As part of their plans now, the design team has been tasked with taking into account all learnings from the COVID-19 response at the hospital and integrating those into their design. To that end, the Acute Medical Assessment Unit at CGH has taken on the role of managing suspected COVID-19 cases for initial assessment, with a separate isolation space within the hospital’s Emergency Department if needed.

Since 2015 there has been continuous investment in facilities at CGH. Almost €6 million was spent from 2015 onwards to upgrade the adult and children’s cystic fibrosis inpatient and outpatient area, endoscopy, electrical upgrades, and the opening of more beds.

One of the biggest challenges the hospital faces is providing safe standards of care, while ensuring adequate social distancing for patients and staff as per health guidelines.

Analysis has been carried out on how this can be best managed locally, with the prospect of sharing more services with Monaghan Hospital to alleviate pressure.

It could be a major boost for the Monaghan site, which hosts a minor injuries unit, and already relieves pressure on the ED at CGH. The Celt has learned of plans to increase outpatient services at Monaghan Hospital, after endoscopy services were extended earlier this year. The prospect of adding a second scoping room and some radiology services are also currently under consideration.