IRISH NEWS

One in three (34%) patients presented to emergency departments (EDs) on average twice in the last 12 months for non-life-threatening illnesses when other urgent care options were available.

New research carried out by Laya Healthcare reveals that Irish people attended their local hospital ED at least once for minor illnesses or injured, which could have been treated by their GP, pharmacist or local urgent care clinic. More than four in ten (44%) were unaware of any other urgent care options. This figure climbed to half of younger people aged 25 to 34 years of age.

An assumption that they would be seen sooner in their local ED (43%), and proximity to home or work (23%) were cited as the top reasons why those with minor injuries chose to go to their local hospital.