New healthcare initiative extended

A health initiative currently running on Leeside has been extended until the end of the month, it was recently announced.

The HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare’s pilot initiative, which allows patients with minor injuries to attend the Cork Affidea ExpressCare clinic, has been extended until 29 February.

Patients with minor injuries, which are unlikely to need hospital admission, can use this service. THese imjuries include the likes of broken bones, sprains, dislocations, minor burns and scalds.

People can arrive directly at the city centre clinic without an appointment, just as they can with HSE Injury Units in Cork city, Bantry and Mallow. GPs can also refer patients directly to Affidea ExpressCare.

Priscilla Lynch, Head of Primary Care, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare said: “This welcome extension of our partnership with Affidea ExpressCare until the end of February aims to help reduce the numbers attending city emergency departments. All parts of the health service are working together to ensure that we meet the increase in demand.

“Winter viruses such as RSV, flu and Covid-19 are putting hospitals under extreme pressure, so our advice is that members of the public should present at hospital emergency departments only for major health emergencies. Providing access to the Affidea ExpressCare clinic gives the public an addition option to consider in non-emergency situations,” she added.

Visiting the Cork Affidea ExpressCare clinic costs €75, in line with the fee charged at HSE Injury Units.

There are a number of exemptions like a person with a medical card, someone with a referral from their GP or emergency department or someone who is admitted to hospital as a result of their attendance.

Affidea ExpressCare is open seven days a week from 10am-8pm at the Elysian, Eglington Street in Cork city.