Barry Ward
Ceist:90. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the provision of urgent care clinics (details supplied) and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51127/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 2 October 2025
Ceisteanna (90)
Freagraí scríofa
I would like to thank the Deputy for his question.
There are currently 15 injury units in operation nationally which can be accessed by the general public. They treat injuries that are not life-threatening and are unlikely to need admission to hospital.
They can help with many of the injuries people go to the emergency department for. For example, broken bones, dislocations, minor burns, x-rays, plaster casts, and wound care can all be treated in an injury unit.
As such injury units play an important role in supporting Emergency Departments by reducing unnecessary attendances at Emergency Departments.
This Government is committed to further reducing Emergency Department overcrowding and enhancing emergency and urgent care services nationwide, as set out in the Programme for Government.
As Minster for Health, my key priority is to provide a 7-day health service to the public. The provision of fully integrated teams across community and acute services is key to delivering safe and timely care in the most appropriate setting over seven days. The provision of injury units throughout the country is a key element of this.
This year will see the standardisation of the opening hours of injury units to ensure a consistent 7-day service from 8am to 8pm and the delivery of two new injury units in Athlone and Carlow.