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ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

The Accident and Emergency Department provides an EMERGENCY CARE SERVICE for EYE, EAR, NOSE, THROAT, HEAD and NECK (ENT-HN) conditions.

There is no lower age limit, but children under 16 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. In the case of young children it is advisable to check with your G.P. or the triage nurse whether our hospital or a children's hospital is more appropriate.

We look after 40,000 patients per annum, approximately 150 per day.

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Opening Hours:

Ophthalmology

Walk in service. 24 hour emergency service available.
ENT-HN** Monday – Friday 09:00 – 17:00 Walk in service

 

Phone

 

01-7088 535
Fax 01-634 3665

NO OUT OF HOURS / WEEKEND OR BANK HOLIDAY EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE FOR ENT CONDITIONS

PhoneG.P. Link Nurse 0868520846, 016343637, 017088535, email dolores.boylan@rveeh.ie

Fax 01-634 3665
 

** ENT-HN = Ear, Nose, Throat, Head and Neck

 

Information below:

WHEN SHOULD I COME TO ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY

If you experience;

  • Sudden loss of vision or hearing
  • Sudden severe eye, ear, nose or throat pain
  • Injury or bleeding to the eye, ear, nose or throat

In the Accident and Emergency your condition will be assessed. Your place in the queue to see a doctor depends on how serious your condition is, so people arriving after you may be treated before you.

If you have a non urgent eye, ear, nose or throat condition, it is recommended that you attend your G.P. first because the wait in Accident and Emergency could be several hours.

If you are unsure whether to attend please contact your G.P. or our triage nurse at (01) 7088 535


WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME

If you have a letter from your G.P., optician or other referring hospital please bring it with you.

Bring a list of any medication you are taking.

If you have attended the hospital in the past please bring your hospital reference number (if available).

Please bring your up-to-date distance and reading glasses.

PLEASE NOTE * EYE EXAMINATION FREQUENTLY INVOLVES PUPIL DILATION, WHICH CAUSES BLURRED VISION. IT IS THEREFORE ADVISABLE NOT TO DRIVE.

If you are being sent by your G.P. to our department with an emergency problem it would be helpful if your G.P. could telephone our G.P. Liaison Service in the Accident and Emergency Department in advance, to let us know to expect you.(Liaison Nurse Details)


ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY DIRECT GP LIASION NURSE SERVICE:

Our ‘GP Liaison Service’ was set up to improve communications and provide a DIRECT LINK between our department and GPs on behalf of patients. The Liaison Nurse provides a central, efficient and timely communication link to G.P.'s and other Primary Providers.

Your GP can access this service if they want you to be examined by a doctor in Accident and Emergency or if they simply need information regarding follow up, test results, outcomes or advice about your condition.

Dolores Boylan – Accident and Emergency GP Liaison Nurse Manager

Hours of work

Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri – 10am – 3pm

Mobile: 086 8520846 Phone: 01 6343648 Fax: 01 6343665 email: dolores.boylan@rveeh.ie 


WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE

1. CHECK-IN: Take a numbered ticket and fill in your details on the form provided. The receptionist will call you according to your ticket number.

You will be asked to provide

  • Your own details, e.g. address, telephone number etc
  • Details of your GP if you do not have a referral letter
  • Details of any previous visit to Accident and Emergency or Out Patient Department
  • Medical card number and expiry date


2. ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY STATUTORY FEE:

Government Health Service Levy of €100, exemptions made upon presentation of the following;

  • Valid Medical Card
  • G.P. Referral Letter
  • Health Ammendment Act Card (Ophthalmology Only)
  • Proof of serving member of the Irish Defence Forces (incl. Next of Kin)
  • European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)(Only applies to Non-Irish European Union members)

PLEASE NOTE * PRESENTATION OF PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE OR AN OPTICIAN REFERRAL LETTER ARE NOT ACCEPTED FOR EXEMPTION OF THE STATUTORY GOVERNMENT LEVY OF €100. Statutory Levy is waived for scheduled follow-up or return to service within 1 year of initital payment.

3. TRIAGE:

Following check-in you will be seen and assessed by the triage nurse who will take a full history and assign a triage category. Triage means that patients are prioritised according to the URGENCY of their condition.

Waiting times will vary from day to day, hour to hour, depending on the workload and staff levels. Patients checked in after you may be treated before you depending on their clinical need and triage category.


SERVICES LIST

  • Management of acute, emergency Eye and ENT-Head and Neck conditions
  • Admission to hospital if clinically indicated
  • Referral and / or admission to other hospitals if clinically indicated
  • Routine appointment to Nurse-Led Eyelid Cyst Clinic
  • Routine appointment to Nurse-Led Ear Syringing Clinic
  • Routine appointment to Nurse-Led Otitis Externa Clinic
  • Referral to Accident and Emergency, follow-up Clinic for Eyes
  • Referral to Speech Therapy
  • Referral to Physiotherapist
  • Discharge to GP, Optometrist, Local EYE Department, Local ENT department


NB: Routine hearing test service is not provided by the Accident and Emergency Department


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