Coronavirus: A&E at Mater Hospital shutting to walk-in admissions and non-Covid ambulance calls

The hospital, on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast, is a smaller site than the City Hospital in south Belfast and the sprawling Royal Victoria Hospital complex to the west of the city.

It is understood it was chosen so as not to disrupt any acute care, which is the focus at the Royal, or cancer care, for which the City is a hub.

The trust said the Mater emergency department “will close to walk in admissions” from 8am tomorrow, and that “additional resources, including experienced medical staff, will be redeployed from other areas in the trust to support the anticipated higher level of activity on the Mater site”.

It said all respiratory ambulance admissions will be taken there from tomorrow.

The trust added: “To support the Mater we will divert all other ambulance categories to the Royal Victoria Hospital.

“We would also advise all patients seeking medical treatment for urgent and non-respiratory problems to attend the Emergency Department at the Royal Victoria Hospital.”

The decision has been taken to “effectively protect the safety of our patients and staff”, it said.

Emergency department consultant Dr Eoghan Ferrie said: “This is the vital next step in adapting our service to respond to the Covid-19 virus.

“Whilst we anticipate many people who contract the virus will experience mild symptoms that can be managed through self-isolation, we have taken the decision to ensure we are best prepared to treat patients who may need acute care.

“It has been noted that there has been a downturn in emergency and unscheduled demand in recent weeks, demonstrating to us that the public are choosing wisely and using other routes to access medical treatment and support.”

Patients with respiratory symptoms or a high temperature should call 111.