Each Health Board is responsible for ambulance services and some make a charge.
If you’re physically able, you should make your own way to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of your nearest hospital. When you move to a new area it’s wise to find out where your nearest A&E department is, as not every hospital is equipped to handle emergencies. If your condition isn’t serious enough to warrant a hospital visit, you should consult your family doctor. In towns and cities, there are ‘after-hours clinics’ where you can see a doctor concerning minor ailments when your doctor’s surgery is closed.
Short-term visitors to Ireland (i.e. those who aren’t ordinarily resident) from EU countries are entitled to free urgent medical treatment. Unless you’re a UK national, you need to produce form E111 (which you should obtain from your own health authority before travelling). Non-EU visitors are entitled to nothing free!
If you have a rare blood group or a medical problem which cannot easily be seen or recognised, e.g. a heart condition, diabetes, a severe allergy or epilepsy, you may be interested in the UK organisation, Medic-Alert, which also covers Ireland. Medic-Alert members wear an emblem on their wrists or around their necks that’s internationally recognised. On the back of your emblem is engraved your medical problem, membership number and a telephone number. When you’re unable to speak for yourself, doctors, police or anyone providing aid can immediately obtain vital medical information from anywhere in the world by phoning a 24-hour emergency number.
Medic-Alert is a non-profit registered charity and life membership is included in the cost of the bracelet or necklace plus an annual fee. For more information contact the Medic-Alert Foundation, 1 Bridge Wharf, 156 Caledonian Road, London N1 9UU, UK (Tel. 020-7833 3034).
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