Cork University Hospital Emergency Department

When to go to an emergency department

Emergency departments deal with serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies.

For example, if someone:

• is breathless
• is feeling unwell and getting sicker very quickly
• has not peed in over 12 hours and does not need to pee
• is not feeling well and has become confused and agitated
• is very pale with cold hands and feet
• is dizzy when they sit up or unable to stand
• has developed a rash that does not disappear when pressed down

How much an emergency department costs

It costs €100 to attend an emergency department.

There is no charge for patients with a:

• medical card
• medical or GP referral letter
• referral from an injury unit

When to go to an injury unit

Injury units treat injuries that are:

• not life-threatening
• unlikely to need a hospital stay

Go to an injury unit instead of an emergency department for broken bones, dislocations and minor burns.

You do not need an appointment to attend an injury unit.

You can get treatment such as x-rays, plaster casts, and wound care in an injury unit.

If they cannot help with a problem, they will direct you to where you can get the right help.

Injury units can treat:

• broken bones, sprains and strains, from knees to toes
• broken bones, sprains and strains, from collarbone to fingertips
• minor facial injuries (including oral, dental and nasal injuries)
• minor scalds and burns
• wounds, bites, cuts, grazes and scalp lacerations (cuts)
• small abscesses and boils
• splinters and fish hooks
• objects stuck in eyes, ears or nose
• minor head injuries (fully-conscious patients, who did not have loss of consciousness or vomit after the head injury)