Of course those studying in Dublin (the bigger centre) would argue otherwise but, technically speaking, CUH in Cork (UCC) has the only Level 1 Trauma Centre in the Republic of Ireland. Not that it really matters in the end for returning to NAmerica but...from IrishHealth.com:
A new emergency department capable of dealing with 50,000 patients a year, has opened in Cork University Hospital (CUH).
This is the first level one-type trauma unit in the country, which means that it has the back-up of all the specialist services needed to deal with multiple trauma, including neurosurgery, orthopaedics and plastic surgery.
"No other hospital in the country has all these specialities under one roof", explained CUH general manager, Tony McNamara.
The multi-million euro facility is almost twice the size of the old emergency department, which dealt with around 42,000 patients per year. It includes a waiting room and treatment area especially for children, a treatment area for minor injuries and a decontamination unit to treat people who have suffered exposure to hazardous chemicals.
It also includes a four-place resuscitation area with state-of-the-art overhead X-ray equipment - the first in the country.
According to the hospital's consultant in emergency medicine, Dr Stephen Cusack, a 12-bed clinical decision unit is another highlight of the new facility. Patients can be referred here for a short period - usually no more than 24 hours - for observation or treatment.
"This should increase the efficiency of patient care and reduce the demand on inpatient beds within the hospital", Dr Cusack said.
The new department also has facilities for the family of critically ill patients, as well as bereavement and patient counselling services.
