Pilot allowing patients with minor injuries to attend private clinic in Cork extended

A HSE initiative that allows patients with minor injuries to attend the Cork Affidea ExpressCare clinic, has been extended until the end of February. 

The HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare pilot initiative was introduced to help relieve pressure on emergency departments by handling patients with injuries such as broken bones, sprains, dislocations, minor burns and scalds.

It was initially announced that the service would run free of charge for January before a €75 euro fee was introduced for certain patients, a fee which remains in place for the second month of the pilot programme.

Standard visits will continue to cost €75, in line with the fee charged at HSE Injury Units, except for anyone with a medical card, anyone with a referral from their GP or emergency department, or who is admitted to hospital as a result of their attendance.

Priscilla Lynch, Head of Primary Care, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare said, “This welcome extension of our partnership with Affidea ExpressCare until the end of February aims to help reduce the numbers attending city emergency departments.

“All parts of the health service are working together to ensure that we meet the increase in demand. Winter viruses such as RSV, flu and Covid-19 are putting hospitals under extreme pressure, so 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 gives the public an additional option to consider in non-emergency situations.”

People can arrive directly at Affidea ExpressCare, which is open seven days a week from 10am to 8pm at the Elysian, Eglington Street in Cork city, without an appointment, and GPs can also refer patients there.