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.

We look after 40,000 patients per annum, approximately 110 per day.

Opening Hours:

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

Information below:

• How to access our service
• Accident and emergency GP liaison nurse service
• What to expect when you arrive
• Prioritization of patients
• Services list
• Health links

HOW TO ACCESS OUR SERVICE

Priority is given to patients presenting with EMERGENCY conditions at all times.

We encourage you to visit your GP first. He/She will decide if you need to be referred for emergency care. Make sure you bring a letter from your GP, a list of any medicines you are taking, and your Hospital Reference Number if you have attended our Outpatients in the past.

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

NB. Eye examination frequently involves pupil dilation, which makes your vision blurred. It is therefore advisable not to drive.

If you are being sent by your GP to our department with an emergency problem it would be very helpful if you or your GP could telephone our ‘GP Liaison Service’ or the Accident and Emergency Department directly, in advance, to let us know to expect you.

ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY GP LIASION NURSE SERVICE:
 

Our ‘GP Liaison Service’ was set up to improve communications and provide a link between GPs and our department on behalf of patients.   Your GP can access this service if they need you to be examined by a doctor in Accident and Emergency or if they simply need advice about your condition.

Dolores Boylan – GP Liaison Nurse Manger

Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri – 10am – 2pm
Weds – 8.30am – 12.30pm

Phone: 01 634 3648               Fax: 01 634 3665                      Mobile : 086 852 0846  

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE

Check-in:
Take a numbered ticket.
The receptionist will call you according to your ticket number.

You will be asked to provide

1. Your own details, e.g. address, telephone number etc
2. Details of your GP if you do not have a referral letter
3. Details of any previous visit to Accident and Emergency or Out Patient Department
4. Medical card or health insurance details
5. Government Health Service Levy if you do not have a letter from your GP (waived if scheduled return)

PRIORITISATION (TRIAGE) OF PATIENTS

Our department uses a TRIAGE system.
This means that patients get prioritized according to the URGENCY of their condition.
You will be given an estimated expected waiting time when you arrive.

Waiting times will vary between departments from day to day, hour to hour, depending on the workload and staff levels.

SERVICES LIST

• Management of acute, emergency Eye and ENT-HN conditions.
• Review of previous acute condition if clinically indicated at first visit*
• Admission to hospital if clinically indicated
• For ophthalmic patients, referral and / or admission to other hospitals if clinically indicated.
• Urgent referral to Outpatients
• Routine appointment to Outpatients
• Routine appointment to Nurse-Led Eyelid Cyst Clinic
• Routine appointment to Nurse-Led Ear Syringing Clinic
• GP direct referral to Nurse-Led Clinic / Ear Syringing Clinic
• Referral to Accident and Emergency Consultant, second opinion Clinic for Eyes and ENT-HN
• Discharge to GP, Optometrist, Local EYE Department, Local ENT department

* PATIENT REVIEW takes place TUESDAY AND THURSDAY from 9 am to Midday. We will try to ensure that you do not have a long wait to see your doctor if you come for review during this time period.
NB: PATIENTS may be referred directly by their General Practitioner to the Department of Audiology for routine hearing tests. Routine hearing test service is not provided by the Accident and Emergency Department.

HEALTH LINKS:

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