HSE South West Urges Public to Know Urgent Care Options Over Jazz Festival Bank Holiday Weekend and Halloween

HSE South West is urging everyone to know how and where to access urgent healthcare over the Jazz Festival October bank holiday weekend, the school mid-term and Halloween. The public are reminded to consider all their options before travelling to an ED.

The Emergency Departments at Cork University Hospital and the Mercy University Hospital have been exceptionally busy in recent weeks.

Priscilla Lynch, HSE manager for Cork South and West, said:

“It’s a busy time – Cork is packed with jazz lovers, it’s a welcome bank holiday weekend and the schools are off next week for Halloween. We want everyone to stay safe and enjoy the music, family time and dressing up. If you need urgent or emergency healthcare, HSE South West is always here for you, but we ask you to consider which healthcare option best meets your needs.

The Emergency Department might not be the right choice as the most critical cases are seen first and those with non-urgent presentations may face quite a wait to be seen. There are a range of other options available to you, closer to home.”

Care options over the weekend and next week include injury units, the SouthDoc GP Out of Hours service and pharmacies for useful advice.

Injury units often offer shorter wait times, and offer consultant-led care for x-rays, fracture care, treatment for burns and stitching. Injury units at Gurranabraher (the Mercy Injury Unit), Mallow and Bantry are all open this weekend.

In addition, the Irish Life Health expresscare clinic is available to treat minor injuries on the same terms as the HSE injury units. It is open from 10am to 8pm for those aged 12 months and over.

Other non-urgent options include self-care, with a well-stocked medicine cabinet to help with colds and sore throats, and asking your pharmacist for advice on common minor illnesses. People can also make an appointment with their GP if they are feeling unwell, or call SouthDoc on 0818 355 999 if their GP clinic is closed. For emergencies, please visit your nearest ED or call 999/112.

More information is available on the HSE injury units page.