Emergency Department

Emergency Departments (A&E) in Ireland

Emergency Departments (EDs) — still commonly called Accident & Emergency (A&E) — provide care for serious injuries and life-threatening conditions. Updated for 2026 HSE.

When to Go to the Emergency Department

You should go to an ED if you have a serious or life-threatening condition, such as:

• Chest pain or difficulty breathing.
• Severe bleeding that won't stop.
• Head injury with loss of consciousness.
• Sudden severe pain (abdominal, head, etc.).
• Suspected stroke (FAST — Face, Arms, Speech, Time).
• Major burns or fractures.
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

In an emergency, call 112 or 999 for an ambulance.

Alternatives to the ED

For non-life-threatening issues, consider these alternatives to reduce waiting times:

• GP Out-of-Hours Services: Most areas have GP co-ops (e.g., Caredoc, Dubdoc) that handle urgent but non-emergency cases.
• Injury Units: Treat minor injuries like cuts, sprains, and simple fractures. No appointment needed.
• Vhi SwiftCare / Laya Urgent Care: Private minor injury clinics for policyholders.
• Your own GP: Many GPs keep same-day slots for urgent issues.
• Pharmacist: For minor ailments — pharmacists can now prescribe certain treatments.

The Triage System

When you arrive at an ED, you will be seen by a triage nurse who assesses how urgent your condition is. The categories are:

• Resuscitation (Immediate): Life-threatening — seen immediately.
• Emergency (Very Urgent): Potentially life-threatening — seen within minutes.
• Urgent: Needs treatment soon — seen within an hour.
• Semi-Urgent: Less urgent — may wait 1–2 hours.
• Non-Urgent: Minor issues — may wait several hours.

Be prepared for long waiting times, especially in busy EDs. Bring a phone charger, snacks, and essential medications.

Emergency Department Charges (2026)

• ED charge with GP referral letter: €0 (free if referred by a GP).
• ED charge without GP referral: €100.
• ED charge if admitted to hospital: The €100 charge is waived, but the inpatient charge of €80 per day (max €800/year) applies.
• Medical Card holders: Free ED visits.

The ED charge only applies once per visit to the same hospital — you will not be charged multiple times if you are referred between departments.

What to Bring

• Photo ID (passport, driving licence).
• PPS number (if available).
• Medical Card or health insurance details.
• List of current medications and allergies.
• GP referral letter (if you have one).

How Triage Really Works

The triage system exists to ensure the sickest patients are seen first, not to process people in arrival order. When you register, a triage nurse takes your vital signs and assigns a category based on clinical urgency — not on how long you have been waiting. This is why a patient who arrives later with chest pain will be seen before someone with a minor sprain who arrived earlier.

The five Irish triage categories are: Resuscitation (immediate, life-threatening), Emergency (within minutes), Urgent (within an hour), Semi-urgent (1–2 hours), and Non-urgent (several hours or more).

Understanding this mechanism changes how you should use the ED:

• If your problem is non-urgent, expect a long wait — and consider whether an Injury Unit or GP out-of-hours co-op would be faster and cheaper.
• If your condition is genuinely serious, say so clearly at registration and describe your symptoms accurately — triage relies on what you report.
• If you attend with a GP referral letter, the ED charge is waived entirely.

Before You Go: A Practical Checklist

1. Is it an emergency? Chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, stroke symptoms (FAST), major burns, or anaphylaxis — call 112 or 999 or go straight to the ED. For anything else, phone your GP or the out-of-hours co-op first.
2. Bring ID and your PPS number. You will need photo ID to register, and your PPS number if you have one.
3. Bring your medication list and allergies. Write them down or bring the boxes — accurate medication history speeds up treatment and prevents errors.
4. Bring your GP referral letter if you have one. It waives the €100 charge and gives the ED team useful clinical context.
5. Pack for a long wait. Phone charger, snacks, water, and essential medication. Waiting times in busy EDs routinely run several hours for non-urgent cases.
6. Know the charges: €100 without a GP referral (waived if you are admitted), €80 per day inpatient charge (max €800/year), free for Medical Card holders.

Medical disclaimer: this guide is for general information only. In a genuine emergency, always call 112 or 999 — do not delay care because of charges or waiting times.