A mixed prognosis for private hospitals

Private healthcare providers with newer buildings will have advantages over older private hospitals, which face real challenges from Covid-19

Julie Riordan, labratory manager at the Hermitage Medical Clinic. Picture: Bryan Meade

The Hermitage Medical Clinic is one of dozens of hospitals across Ireland that will resume elective surgical and diagnostic procedures this week.

To achieve this, patients will answer questions about possible coronavirus symptoms in advance and mask up before they are admitted to the hospital. They will also be tested for Covid-19 before entering the hospital, with a rapid one-hour turnaround of results available.

Inside, parts of the Hermitage have been reconfigured to facilitate social ...