Third of ED visits could have been avoided — survey

Survey found four in 10 were unaware of where to get treatment for minor illnesses outside of EDs.

A third of emergency department (ED) visits could have been avoided, while there is also a lack of awareness of urgent care options in the community, a recent survey has found. 

It comes as hospitals have seen significant overcrowding so far in 2023, with January 3 seeing a record 931 patients on trolleys or chairs waiting for a bed in Irish hospitals.