One-hour wait target at minor injury clinic
It is projected that 100,000 patients will be treated at the VHI Swiftcare clinic, located in City Gate, Mahon, in the coming year.
Open year-round, from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week, it is the fifth clinic of its kind.
Dealing mainly with fractures, sprains, respiratory problems and minor cuts, patients are charged an initial consultation fee of €105 or €55 if referred by a GP. An out-of-hours dental service will also be available to treat dental emergencies outside of regular hours.
Speaking at the opening, Ms Harney said private clinics like this mean less demand on the public emergency department system — and that could only be a good thing.
“These clinics are an innovative move by VHI Healthcare and their partners, and as demonstrated by the numbers attending similar Swiftcare clinics elsewhere in the country, patients clearly welcome their development,” she said.
Jimmy Tolan, chief executive VHI Healthcare, said patients welcome an alternative to visiting an A&E department when they have a minor injury or illness.
The minister was also in town to officially open Cork’s first cancer research unit, funded by the Health Research Board, at Cork University Hospital.
Earlier in the day she visited Mallow General Hospital. Speaking on behalf of the Mallow Hospital Action Committee, Labour TD for Cork East Sean Sherlock said if acute services at Mallow Hospital are further downgraded it will place increased pressure on acute services at CUH at a time when they are already overstretched.
