Acute paediatric services at Tallaght University Hospital are to temporarily relocate from midnight tomorrow night, in order to support the adult hospital system during the covid-19 pandemic.
Children's Health Ireland says it plans to temporarily relocate the services to its other two children’s hospitals at Crumlin and Temple Street and to its paediatric outpatient and urgent care centre at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.
This means inpatients, day cases, out-patients and the Paediatric Emergency Department based in Tallaght will stop from midnight Friday 27th March 2020.
In a statement, CHI said;
"This decision has been taken to protect our patients, their families and our staff. In doing this, CHI is supporting Tallaght University Hospital with additional staff, emergency facilities and bed capacity for sick adults."
It went on to say; "Our decision is in line with other acute paediatric healthcare providers globally who have made similar decisions to support their acute adult hospital systems."
Children's Health Ireland says it wants to reassure patients and families that its two other Dublin hospitals, Crumlin and Temple Street are open, including their 24 hour Emergency Departments.
The Urgent Care Centre at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown is also available for minor injuries or minor illnesses between 10.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.