New initiative means Cork patients can access private clinic for minor injuries for free

Marnie Harrington, lead nurse, Affidea Expresscare, the Elysian, Cork. File Picture: Denis Minihane.

Cork patients can now access a private clinic for free minor injuries treatment under a new HSE initiative to help people avoid using hospital emergency departments.

The Affidea ExpressCare clinic in the city offers a free walk-in service for the public until the end of January, the HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare said.

Broken bones, sprains, dislocations, minor burns and scalds are among the injuries which can be treated.

This is a similar service to that provided by HSE injury units in Gurranabraher, Bantry and Mallow.

The move is part of a nationwide effort to reduce attendance at emergency departments and keep those units for emergency care only.

It is hoped this will help to contain the surge in overcrowding and delays leading to patients spending time on trolleys waiting for hospital beds.

GPs can now also refer patients directly to Affidea ExpressCare.

Priscilla Lynch, Head of Primary Care, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare said the clinic offers an additional option for patients in Cork.

“There is a rise in flu and Covid-19 infections,” she warned.

“And this means that our advice is that members of the public should present at hospital EDs only for major health emergencies.” The Affidea ExpressCare clinic is for people in “non-emergency situations”, she said.

She also said emergency departments remain open, offering priority to emergency and time-critical care for the sickest patients.

Ms Lynch urged people with non-emergency health challenges to consider pharmacies, GPs, Southdoc for out of hours GP service as well as the HSE injury clinics.

Affidea ExpressCare is open seven days a week from 10am to 8pm.

It is located at the Elysian, Eglington Street in Cork city and the Eircode is T12 KTD1.