IRELAND | Emergency | Healthcare system
Healthcare in Ireland
Everyone is entitled to healthcare in Ireland and this is partly funded by the PRSI (social security) contributions. Eight Regional Health Boards administer the health service. The healthcare system in Ireland is divided into a private and a public system, the latter being known as the Health Service Executive (HSE). There are two categories of entitlement to public health care: The full range of medical services at no cost, or certain services free with the remainder to be paid for. In addition, there are several schemes to help defray the costs.
Ireland takes a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare in hospitals. Patient care is provided by a combination of doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Primary health care in Ireland is predominantly provided by general practitioners (GPs) who either work independently in branches or in an emergency centre together with other GPs and nurses. There is an out-of-hours GP emergency service in every part of the country. Healthcare in Northern Ireland is provided by the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom.
Visitors to Ireland from the EU, EEA countries and Switzerland are entitled to healthcare during their stay. Holders of a valid EHIC are entitled to free medical treatment under the public healthcare system. Services provided by private doctors in private practices or in private hospitals must be financed by the insured person themselves. If someone is travelling to Ireland with the aim of receiving medical treatment, the EHIC does not cover the costs.
You will also be entitled to the following services, provided you are an EU national or ordinarily resident in Ireland:
- All in-patient public hospital services in public wards, including consultant services, subject to certain charges. There is a daily charge for public hospital accommodation, up to a maximum limit in any consecutive 12 months
- All other out-patient hospital services, including consultants
- Accident and Emergency (A&E) departments; if your doctor refers you, there is no charge, otherwise there is a charge
- Maternity and Infant care services including the services of a GP during pregnancy and for up to six weeks after the birth
Emergency medical care
The freephone numbers for the emergency services are 999 or 112 and all major hospitals have emergency departments. If you dial one of the two emergency numbers, you will be connected to a member of staff at the control centre of the public health system (HSE). If language barriers prevent information from being passed on over the phone, a translator service is available. In a telephone conference between all three parties, the translator then takes over the transfer of information between the employee in the control centre and the original caller.
All staff in hospitals and emergency centres speak English. A translation service is also available to patients in some hospitals.
Individuals in Ireland can contact accident and emergency departments directly.
Significant constraints on the availability of emergency medical care
All larger hospitals have an accident and emergency department. Some hospitals also have a separate admission department that is only accessible to privately insured patients with minor injuries.
The rescue team will examine the patient at the scene before taking them to a "Centre of Excellence". This does not necessarily have to be the nearest hospital.
If there is no emergency, the deployment of an ambulance is subject to a doctor's decision and may be subject to a charge.
Doctors' surgeries
You may visit the doctor of your choice in Ireland. If you need to see a doctor, you should have a friend or colleague recommend one. You will find a list of General Practitioners (GP's) in the "Golden Pages" directory or the phone book. Visits to the doctor are usually by appointment.
Prescriptions
The following are available in pharmacies and in supermarkets without prescription:
- Basic analgesia (pain killers), e.g. Aspirin, Paracetamol, Solpadeine, Maxilief
- Anti-histamines, e.g. Clarityn, Piriton
- Codeine based cough bottles, e.g. Benilyn
- Bandages, dressings, plasters, bandaids. etc.
- Creams, e.g. Sudocream, Salvlon (antiseptic)