HSE warns NOT to go to emergency department if injury is ‘not life-threatening’

THE HSE is asking people to consider all options available to them before attending an Emergency Department.

And people should consider visiting one of their injury units for accidents or sports injuries.

The injury units cater for people with non-life-threatening injuries that are unlikely to need hospitalisation.

For example, these may include broken bones, sprains and strains.

However the injuries must be less than six weeks old.

HSE bosses took to social media to encourage people to think about their ailment before seeking treatment.

They said: “If you have an accident, including a sports injury, you can go to an injury unit.

“Injury units treat recent injuries (less than six weeks old) that are not life-threatening and unlikely to need admission to hospital. For example, broken bones, sprains and strains.

“Find your nearest injury unit in Clare, Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon, Tipperary or Westmeath”

The HSE have 14 injury units catering for different ages.

Their Cashel injury unit caters for anyone aged three and older.

The injury units in Dundalk, Bantry, Mallow, Ennis, Nenagh, Roscommon, Monaghan and the St John’s injury unit Limerick aare all open to anyone aged five and older.

The Mercy injury unit is for anyone age 10 and older

St Columcille’s injury unit in Loughlinstown is for anyone age 14 and older.

While the Mater Smithfield rapid injury clinic, Mullingar minor injuries unit and Naas Hospital injury unit treat anyone age 16 and older.

Patients are urged to check opening hours on the HSE website.

Separately, a warning has been issued over a spike in cases of slapped cheek syndrome – a viral infection common in children that causes a rash that lasts for weeks.

Infection complications

Health chiefs advised groups at increased risk for complications from the infection to seek prompt medical attention if they develop symptoms.

It’s caused by a virus called parvovirus B19 that causes slapped cheek syndrome – and the most common symptom is the appearance of a bright red rash on both cheeks.

There were 116 cases of the infection confirmed in Ireland in the first quarter of 2024.