Pilot initiative allows free use of Cork clinic for minor injuries

A new HSE initiative means that patients with minor injuries can attend the Cork Affidea ExpressCare clinic free of charge during the month of January.

The HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare is funding the pilot initiative, which will allow patients to arrive directly at the city centre clinic without an appointment, a service similar to the injury units in Cork city, Bantry and Mallow.

This initiative will run until Wednesday, January 31 and will assess if providing additional access can help to reduce numbers attending city emergency departments at busy times.

Patients with minor injuries such as broken bones, sprains, dislocations and minor burns and scalds that are unlikely to need hospital admission can use this service. GPs can also refer patients directly to Affidea ExpressCare.

Priscilla Lynch, head of primary care, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare explained: “This temporary initiative adds to the care options available to people in the Cork city area.

“All parts of the health service are working together to ensure that we meet the increase in demand at this time of year.

“There is a rise in flu and Covid-19 infections, and this means that our advice is that members of the public should present at hospital EDs only for major health emergencies.

“Providing access to the Affidea ExpressCare clinic as an additional option gives the public an addition option to consider in non-emergency situations.”

The news comes as Cork GP Dr Diarmuid Quinlan told The Echo that South Doc saw more than 10,000 patients between December 23 to January 1, or approximately 1,000 people a day, and less than 10% were referred to hospitals.

A HSE spokesperson advised Cork people that their options for urgent healthcare in Cork include their local pharmacist or local GP, South Doc — the GP out of hours service — injury units in Cork city, Bantry and Mallow, as well as Emergency Departments, which are open 24/7 and prioritise the sickest patients.

Affidea ExpressCare is located at the Elysian, Eglington Street in Cork city and the Eircode is T12 KTD1.

It is open seven days a week from 10am to 8pm.