HSE South West is encouraging people in Cork to consider all available healthcare options over the upcoming Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
A wide range of services will be available for those who need them across the weekend, including pharmacies, Out-of-Hours GP services, Injury Units and Emergency Departments.
Emergency Departments are often busier during and after bank holiday weekends. All patients will be seen and treated, with the most urgent patients being prioritised. This means that patients with non-urgent injuries may face longer waiting times and these patients may get the treatment they need faster at an Injury Unit.
Patients who are admitted to Cork hospitals via Emergency Departments should also be aware that they might be transferred to a HSE South West acute setting which best meets their needs – eg a move from CUH/MUH to Mallow General Hospital.
Injury units treat injuries that are not life-threatening, such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds and minor burns. This weekend, the following injury units will be available in Cork:
- The Mercy Injury Unit Gurranabraher at St Mary’s Health Campus Gurranabraher, open 8am to 6pm and available to those aged 10 and older
- The Mallow Injury Unit, open 8am to 8pm, and available to those aged five and older
- Bantry Injury Unit, open 8am to 8pm, and available to those aged five and older
In addition, the Irish Life Health expresscare clinic is available to treat minor injuries on the same terms as the HSE injury units. It is open from 10am to 8pm for those aged 12 months and over.
Prof John R. Higgins, acting Regional Executive Officer of HSE South West said:
“Easter is such a positive time of the year, with fresh starts and spring growth. But for those who unfortunately become unwell, our amazing HSE staff will be working across the Easter Bank holiday weekend.
“If you or a loved one is seriously ill or injured, please call 999/112 or make your way to an Emergency Department. However, if your injury or illness isn’t critical or urgent - there are a range of local options available to you and your family. Please help us to prioritise the most unwell by considering all pathways of care that can be provided quickly and close to your home.”
Options for non-emergency healthcare include:
- Self-care – Have a well-stocked medicine cabinet for common ailments
- Your local pharmacist: www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/
- Your GP (fill routine prescriptions ahead of the bank holiday weekend)
- South Doc, the GP Out-of-Hours service is on 0818 355 999
- Injury units – full list on hse.ie/injuryunits
Carole Croke, Hospital Manager, Bantry General Hospital said:
“In a genuine emergency, do not delay and either go to the ED, or dial 999/112. However, for injuries which are not life-threatening, such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds and minor burns, you might get faster access to care at an injury unit. Injury units are open across Cork this weekend, including our injury unit right here in Bantry, which will be open 8am to 8pm and available to those aged five and older.”
Claire Crowley, General Manager, Mallow General Hospital:
“Mallow General Hospital is a Model 2 acute healthcare facility, ideally suited for those needing in-patient care that is not life-threatening. The teams at other Cork hospitals may decide to transfer you to us, so they can keep beds available for those who require high dependency care. Hopefully, you won't need emergency care this weekend but patients presenting to Cork Emergency Departments should be aware that they may be transferred here, where we will take excellent care of you during your stay.”
Last updated on: 16 / 04 / 2025
