Tullamore hospital launch first-of-a-kind ‘single visit clinic’ for Metabolic Liver Disease

Patients across the Midlands now have faster, easier access to liver disease care thanks to a new ‘Single Visit Clinic’ recently launched by Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore (MRHT).

The first-of-its-kind service is designed for assessing and managing Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD), marking a major step forward in patient-centred care.

MAFLD, a condition estimated to affect up to 60% of the adult Irish population, accounts for 30% of referrals to the hospital’s gastroenterology service.

Until now, patients faced wait times of over a year and required up to four separate outpatient visits for assessment and management.

The new clinic model streamlines this process into a single, comprehensive hospital visit, significantly improving patient experience, reducing costs, and increasing service capacity.

Michelle Maher, Operations Manager of Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, said “This is a fantastic example of innovation and collaboration in action. The Single Visit Clinic enhances service delivery and supports our commitment to continuous improvement.

"The project also benefits our staff. Our administration colleagues are actively engaged and receiving feedback, nurses have gained new skills and career development opportunities, and consultants are benefiting from faster access to diagnostic tools. We’re proud to support this forward-thinking approach to healthcare.”

This initiative marks a major milestone in delivering equitable, efficient, and compassionate care to patients across the Midlands.

By bringing advanced diagnostics closer to home and empowering staff across disciplines, MRHT continues to transform patient experiences and outcomes.