IRELAND | Emergency | Cultural issues

Different roles and responsibilities of staff working in emergency medical care

All ambulances (rescue vehicles that leave after a call to 999/112) are manned by a paramedic and a more highly qualified paramedic, who are all able to provide a wide range of treatments and life-saving measures. Sometimes ambulance rapid response cars are dispatched to the scene before the emergency ambulance or later, to provide specialised medical treatment. All ambulances (ambulance rapid response cars and emergency ambulance) are equipped to deal with cardiac emergencies.

In Dublin, the capital of Ireland, the deployment of ambulances is coordinated by the fire service and the HSE. It is not uncommon for fire engines to attend emergencies there.

Cultural or religious issues

In the past, the healthcare system in Ireland was established and maintained by Christian religious orders. Even today some hospitals are still located on monastery grounds and are run by a monastery. Although the majority of hospitals are now publicly owned, some of these hospitals, which are staffed by nuns and whose actions are based on a Christian attitude, receive state support. A Christian background is generally present in both public and private providers in Ireland. Religious symbols can be found in many Irish hospitals. On request, multi-faith chaplaincy is available for patients in most Irish hospitals.

Ireland is generally very sensitive to the cultural and religious needs of all who live in or visit Ireland. To support healthcare staff - even those from different cultural backgrounds - an intercultural guide for the healthcare sector has been produced. This aims to improve the care of patients from other cultures through information, skills and awareness raising.

Friends and/or family members are encouraged to stay with the patient during emergency care. There are certain visiting times for family members and relatives. However, the regulations vary from clinic to clinic.

Adolescents over the age of 16 can give their consent to surgical interventions. However, the law is unclear as to whether adolescents under the age of 18 may refuse treatment.

Individual dietary requirements are taken into account as far as possible. However, patients may only eat the food provided by the clinic. The consumption of food brought from home is prohibited.

Form of address

In Ireland, the form of address between doctor and patient is either formal using the surname, or informal using the first name, depending on individual preference and the situation.

For more information on general medical cultural standards, click here.