HSE announces change to fee for public patients in Cork to use express clinic

The HSE has announced that the Affidea ExpressCare clinic will charge a fee from tomorrow, as part of a pilot programme introduced for the month of January.

Last week, the HSE announced a pilot project whereby HSE patients could attend the Affidea ExpressCare clinic for the month of January.

While there was no charge initially to patients, from Monday January 15, a charge of €75 will be in place, in line with the Health (Out-Patient Charges) Regulations.

Exemptions apply for people with a medical card, those with a referral from their GP or Emergency Department, and anyone who is admitted to hospital as a result of their attendance. 

The initiative means that all HSE patients can arrive directly at the clinic, located at the Elysian, Eglington Street, without an appointment, just as they can with HSE injury units.

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

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

Priscilla Lynch, Head of Primary Care, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare said, “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.”