EVERY competitive GAA player has had the misfortune of suffering an injury that needs hospital treatment of some sort.
Which is why UL Hospitals Group has launched an initiative with GAA County Boards and clubs in Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary to promote HSE Injury Units in the Mid West.
Emergency medicine consultants from UL Hospitals Group are meeting with the County Boards over the coming months to discuss Injury Units and their benefits.
The meetings kicked off last week at the Limerick County Board meeting at the Woodlands Hotel in Adare, attended by Board members and over 30 club representatives.
UL Hospitals Group is urging GAA clubs across the region to display posters in their clubs and share information about injury units on social media to raise awareness. The posters contains a QR code which players can scan for further information.
As emergency departments across Ireland experience significant and increased pressures, the HSE is encouraging the public to consider all care options available. These options include Injury Units as well as community pharmacies, GPs, and out-of-hours GP services.
Injury Units treat injuries that are non-life-threatening and unlikely to need a hospital stay.
Common minor injuries include bone breaks, sprains, dislocations, and minor burns that, while painful, can be dealt with quickly instead of facing extended waits in an emergency department where medics have to prioritise very ill patients.
Most people who attend an Injury Unit are treated and home in under two hours, UL Hospitals Group says.
“Our expert staff take x-rays, apply plaster casts, and treat wounds by stitches or other means. They can refer patients to specialist care, and arrange follow-up appointments where necessary,” a spokesman for the group said.
“People with injuries that are life-threatening, particularly anything to do with the back, chest, neck, or head, should still go to the emergency department where they will be treated”.
There are three Injury Units in the Mid West region, at St John’s, Ennis, and Nenagh hospitals. They are open seven days a week, all year round, including Bank Holidays.
Units at Ennis and Nenagh hospitals are open from 8am to 8pm while St John’s is open from 8am to 7pm.
