Dublin: The Emergency Department at Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Temple Street will close for four days this week as the hospital transitions to CHI’s information technology systems.
The Emergency Department will close at midnight on Thursday, September 24, and is scheduled to reopen at 8am on Tuesday, September 29.
CHI said alternative arrangements have been put in place at CHI at Crumlin and Connolly Hospital for children who require urgent medical attention during the temporary closure.
Some Temple Street staff will also be deployed to Crumlin to help support services during the transition.
Children can also receive care at the Connolly Urgent Care Centre, although CHI has stressed that the centre is not an emergency department and operates by appointment only.
For minor illnesses and non-urgent medical problems, parents and guardians are being advised to contact their GP, local walk-in services or a pharmacist where appropriate.
CHI CEO Professor Lucy Nugent said the temporary closure is necessary to allow the hospital’s IT network systems to be migrated to CHI’s wider systems and infrastructure.
The transition is described as an important milestone in the integration of Ireland’s paediatric hospitals and preparations for the National Children’s Hospital.
The work will also support the implementation of the Epic electronic health record system, which is intended to provide a unified digital health record across CHI services.
Professor Nugent said the temporary closure represents an important step in progressing the organisation’s plans.
CHI Clinical Director Dr Turlough Bolger said the safety and wellbeing of children and young people remained the organisation’s priority throughout the transition.
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