A new urgent care centre has opened at Bantry General Hospital, replacing its emergency department (ED), which was closed as part of a reorganisation of HSE services in the south.

The centre is made up of a local injury unit (LIU) and a medical assessment unit (MAU).

The LIU will treat adults and children over the age of five with minor injuries, such as sprains, strains, suspected broken bones and minor burns.

The unit is being led by a consultant in emergency medicine and is staffed by doctors, nurses, radiographers and clerical staff. While referrals by GPs and SouthDoc are accepted, patients can attend without a referral.

The unit is open seven days a week from 8am to 8pm.

"Those requiring treatment outside of the opening hours (approximately one to two patients currently attend Bantry General each night) should seek treatment from their nearest ED, SouthDoc or GP. Those with minor injuries may also wait to attend the Local Injury Unit the following morning," the HSE explained.

It warned that the LIU cannot treat children under the age of five, as well as:
-Injuries following a fall from a height or a road traffic accident
-Serious head injuries
-Abdominal (stomach) pain
-Neck or back pain
-Gynaecological problems
-Pregnancy-related conditions
-Pelvis or hip fractures
-Children aged five years or older with non-use of a limb or a non-traumatic limp (a limp which has not been caused as a result of an injury or an accident).

Meanwhile the MAU is open Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4.30pm.

"Outside of these hours, patients with medical conditions can still be referred to the hospital, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by their GP/SouthDoc," the HSE said.

The MAU can treat chest pain, including suspected heart attacks, suspected stroke, respiratory conditions, fever, seizures, blackouts, headaches, pneumonia and chest infections.

"Patients referred to the MAU will be seen by a senior doctor within an hour of arrival with ready access to diagnostics such as x-rays, blood tests, scans, etc... This facilitates early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment, which results in patients being discharged earlier, reduces the volume of medical admissions and shortens the length of time patients spend in hospital," the HSE insisted.

It said that these changes to Bantry General ‘secure the future of the hospital, ensuring that it remains a vibrant, busy, modern hospital and guarantees its sustainable, central role in healthcare delivery for the region'.

"The services it will provide are appropriate for the hospital and for the local population, delivering non-complex care as close as possible to patients' homes," the HSE added.