Roscommon Injury Unit has reminded that public that they are open during the summer for people who have less serious illnesses and injuries.
Patients attending the unit are typically seen and discharged quicker than if they attended an emergency department, where patients with more serious illnesses take priority.
Elisa Bridgeman, Clinical Nurse Manager at Roscommon Injury Unit, said that duirng the summer months, there is an increase in people presenting with broken bones, sprains and other injuries that occurred while playing sports.
“The Injury Unit provides an excellent service to our patients with our clinical team of highly experienced doctors, advanced nurse practitioners and nurses,” she said.
She said that over the summer months last year, over 3,674 patients attended Roscommon Injury Unit.
“Typically, we see a lot of injuries to ankles, wrists and fingers, often caused by playing various sports,” added Elisa.
The most common injuries treated at HSE Injury Units over the summer months are broken bones, joint sprains, dislocations, cuts, wounds and burns.
HSE Injury Units treat injuries that are not life-threatening, and can look after wrist and ankle injuries that may occur when playing sports, as well as removing foreign bodies from the eye, ear and nose.
Staff take X-rays, apply plaster casts and treat wounds by stitches or other means. They provide swift access to tests, can refer patients to specialist care and arrange follow-up appointments where necessary.
“We are seeing some patients from outside our catchment area in areas bordering Roscommon, such as Sligo, Mayo, Longford, Galway, as well as holiday-makers who are in the area,” added Elisa Bridgeman.
“Along with the high standards and efficiency of the service, we also have free parking. If you have an injury that is not life-threatening and needs treatment, we recommend you visit Roscommon Injury Unit.
“However, for patients with urgent and life threatening injuries, they should still go to the Emergency Department. Injury Units are not able to treat serious head, back, chest or neck injuries, abdominal (stomach) pain, medical illnesses or mental health problems. Roscommon Injury Unit does not treat children under the age of five.”
You do not need an appointment to attend Roscommon Injury Unit and the cost to attend the Injury Unit is €75.
There is no charge for patients with full medical cards or with a valid medical/GP referral letter.
Roscommon Injury Unit is open at 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.
