HSE South West Urges Public to Consider Urgent Care Options Over St Patrick’s Bank Holiday Weekend

HSE South West is reminding the public in Cork to consider all available urgent care options over the St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend, as Emergency Departments (EDs) are expected to be particularly busy.

A wide range of healthcare services, including pharmacies, Out-of-Hours GP services, Injury Units, and Emergency Departments, will remain available to those in need. However, patients are advised to assess their options carefully to help reduce pressure on hospitals and minimise waiting times.

Injury Units Offer Alternative to EDs

Emergency Departments will prioritise the most serious cases, meaning patients with non-urgent injuries may experience longer waiting times. For minor injuries, Injury Units provide a faster alternative, treating non-life-threatening conditions such as fractures, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds, and minor burns.

The following Injury Units will be available in Cork city and county this weekend:

• Mercy Injury Unit, Gurranabraher (St Mary’s Health Campus) – Open 8am to 6pm, treating patients aged 10 and older.
• Mallow Injury Unit – Open 8am to 8pm, treating patients aged five and older.
• Bantry Injury Unit – Open 8am to 8pm, treating patients aged five and older.
• Irish Life Health Expresscare Clinic – Open 10am to 8pm, treating patients aged 12 months and older, operating on the same terms as HSE Injury Units.

Patients who are admitted to Cork hospitals through the Emergency Departments should also be aware that they may be transferred to other HSE South West acute facilities, such as Mallow General Hospital, based on their specific needs.

HSE Encourages Thoughtful Use of Emergency Services

Dr Andy Phillips, Regional Executive Officer of HSE South West, emphasised the importance of considering all care options before attending an Emergency Department:

“St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with friends and family. Our highly committed HSE staff will be working hard over the bank holiday. If you do need urgent care, there are a range of local options available to you and your family. Our Emergency Departments will be very busy looking after the most seriously ill people in our communities. Please help us to provide everyone with excellent care by taking a moment to consider all your options for care that can be provided quickly, close to your home, before attending the ED.”

For non-emergency healthcare needs, the public is encouraged to use the following services:

• Self-care – Keeping a well-stocked medicine cabinet for common ailments.
• Pharmacies – Visit www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/ for pharmacy locations.
• GPs – Ensure routine prescriptions are collected ahead of the bank holiday.
• South Doc (GP Out-of-Hours Service) – Available at 0818 355 999.
• Injury Units – Full details available at www.hse.ie/injuryunits.

Expert Advice on Emergency and Injury Care

Carole Croke, Hospital Manager, Bantry General Hospital, advised patients to seek the right level of care for their condition:

“In a genuine emergency, do not delay and either go to the ED, or dial 999/112. However, for injuries which are not life-threatening, such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds and minor burns, you might get faster access to care at an Injury Unit. Injury Units are open across Cork this weekend, including our injury unit right here in Bantry, which will be open 8am to 8pm and available to those aged five and older.”

Dr John Sheehan, HSE GP Lead Network 8, urged the public to assess their need for Emergency Department care:

“Bank holiday weekends put additional pressure on our Emergency Departments in Cork. The sickest people will be seen first, so please stop and ask yourself: Do I really need to attend the ED? Our Emergency Department cares for those who are seriously ill or injured, so please consider alternative care pathways where possible. Your local pharmacy, GP, Southdoc or Injury Unit are convenient options if you have a minor ailment or injury.”

Claire Crowley, General Manager, Mallow General Hospital, highlighted the possibility of patient transfers to ensure efficient hospital resource management:

“Mallow General Hospital is a Model 2 acute healthcare facility, ideally suited for those needing in-patient care that is not life-threatening. The teams at other Cork hospitals may decide to transfer you to us, in order to keep beds available for those who require high dependency care. Hopefully, you won't need emergency care this weekend but patients presenting to Cork Emergency Departments should be aware that they may be transferred here, where we will take excellent care of you during your stay.”

As the St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend approaches, the HSE urges the public to plan ahead, be mindful of available healthcare options, and help ensure that emergency services remain accessible for those who need them most.