• Acute medical emergencies
• Acute surgical emergencies (Blackrock Clinic & Hermitage Clinic only)
• Minor injuries – sprains, strains and wounds
• Fractures and orthopaedic trauma (Blackrock Clinic & Hermitage Clinic only) 
• Respiratory conditions (including shortness of breath)
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Chest pain, and acute cardiac conditions (treated in specialist Rapid Cardiac Care unit)

When our services are not the most appropriate for your condition, you will be advised to seek assistance from your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. This includes patient issues relating to the following:

• Acute stroke
• Overdose
• Ear nose and throat  (ENT) emergencies
• Eye (ophthalmology) emergencies
• Gynaecology emergencies
• Pregnancy-related complaints
• Mental illness (psychology & psychiatry)
• Neurological conditions
   

When you arrive at the Emergency Department, a triage nurse will assess your condition. They will decide how urgently medical attention is needed. This process is called “triage” and helps the team decide in which order to see patients - so those with the most serious conditions are seen first. The nurse will take down details of your medical history and any medications you are taking before performing an assessment.

Advances in technology enable us to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions more quickly and accurately than ever before. In our Emergency Departments, Blackrock Health offers fast access to diagnostics, tests and imaging. These are used to help make a diagnosis so that the appropriate treatment can be administered. Examples of diagnostic tests include blood tests, urine analysis, X-rays and scans such as CT or MRI scans. These will be used in combination to decide what treatment, such as medication or surgery, will give you the best outcome. 

Imaging techniques like ultrasound and echocardiography can also detect abnormalities within the body. This can help medical staff diagnose problems such as heart valve disorders or abdominal pain. The results obtained from these imaging tests can help determine what type of treatment to provide. They can be life-saving in the case of heart issues. You can learn more about our Rapid Cardiac Care service.

When you attend our Emergency Department, you will be assessed and treated based on the severity of your condition. In some cases, treatment may be immediate medical intervention. In other cases, you may need to be transferred to another department for specialist care.

If you are stable enough to be discharged after treatment, you will receive instructions on follow-up care and medications. Depending on the nature of your injury or illness, you may be referred back to your GP, or for further assessment at a later date.

Depending on the severity of your condition our Emergency Department team may decide that you need to be admitted to a medical or surgical ward. However, this will depend on bed availability at the hospital. If we do not have bed available, we will let you know before you attend the Emergency Department.

No, you do not need a referral to visit our Emergency Departments in Dublin or Galway. Patients can present themselves directly to the ED, though in some cases, your GP may direct you to us if they feel you need urgent care.

Before you visit our Galway and Hermitage EDs, please call ahead and make an appointment. Telephone 1800 283 999 and follow the instructions.

Please bring your personal identification, medical insurance information (if applicable), a list of any medications you are currently taking (including dosages), and any relevant medical records or notes from your GP.

If possible, also bring a contact number for next of kin or a close family member.

Waiting times can vary depending on the number of patients in the ED and the severity of their conditions. We strive to see and treat all patients as efficiently as possible.

Yes, we understand the importance of having support during such times. However, for the comfort and privacy of all our patients, we may limit the number of people who can accompany each patient within the treatment areas.

If the ED consultant determines that you need to be admitted for further treatment or observation, our staff will facilitate this process. Your care team will keep you informed about what to expect next.

At Blackrock Health Private Hospitals, we accept various payment options, including direct payment, and private insurance claims (subject to your policy terms and conditions). Please speak with our admissions team for more detailed information about your specific situation.

Click on this link for more 'payments and insurance information'.

Yes, both our Dublin and Galway locations have parking facilities available for patients and visitors. 

Please visit the page linked below where you'll find detailed location, parking, and parking information on our three hospitals and diagnostic clinic:

Our Locations

We welcome your feedback as it helps us to continuously improve our services. You can provide feedback directly to any member of our hospital staff during your visit, or you can contact our reception staff through our website or by phone after your visit.