KILDARE: New hospital injury unit opens in Naas

A new hospital injury unit has opened in Naas.

The announcement was made by Naas Hospital and the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group.

It will be located at Vista Primary Care, Ballymore Road.

It is a pilot project, funded by the HSE’s winter plan.

People from Kildare and West Wicklow from the age of 16 and will now be able to attend the unit seven  days a week: Monday to Sunday from 10am – 8pm (including bank holidays).

It opened on January 29 for an initial six week period.

Read more Kildare news

“Patients can walk-in to this public service for a fee of €75, which is less than the €100.00 fee charged if they were to attend an emergency department. There is no charge for patients who have a medical card or who have a referral letter from their general practice, KDoc or from the ED.” the HSE said in a statement.

It added that waiting times for patients who attend injury units are significantly less than those who may have to wait in busy EDs while more acutely ill patients are triaged as a priority.  

According to the HSE the average time to be seen and discharged in an injury unit is under two hours.

A broad spectrum of issues will be dealt with including 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 a loss of consciousness or vomit after the head injury).

The unit also provides full imaging and x-ray facilities in order for patients to be fully diagnosed and treated onsite.

Naas Hospital Manager Kieran McDonald said: “We are delighted with this pilot service development and extension to our hospital services and more importantly for our patients presenting with minor injuries who previously found themselves waiting for longer periods of time in the ED.  The new unit is a walk-in service with no referral necessary and full diagnostics are available on site. The development of an injury unit will also benefit our ED staff who continue to provide a valued emergency service to our patients.”