VHI clinic in Cork closed temporarily on ‘health and safety’ grounds

VHI has temporarily closed its urgent care clinic in Cork on ‘health and safety’ grounds.

The Swiftcare Clinic, which is located at City Gate in Mahon, usually operates from 8am to 10pm and provides urgent care for injuries including fractures, lacerations or cuts that need stitching, sports injuries and minor burns. However, the doors of the clinic are closed today.

A spokesperson for VHI confirmed that a decision was made not to open the urgent care facility on health and safety grounds, citing ‘doctor availability’ as the issue.

The spokesperson said however that it is envisaged that the facility will re-open tomorrow (Thursday).

VHI is advising members to seek care instead at Cork University Hospital, the Mercy University Hospital, the Mercy Urgent Care clinic and the Mater Private, with their spokesperson adding that members should 'confirm suitability' before attending these providers.

VHI also operates a fracture clinic and a screening clinic at the facility in Mahon, and the company said that these clinics are operating as normal today, and that scheduled appointments are going ahead.