Emergency Services in Ireland: 999, A&E, and Urgent Care Guide (2025)

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Knowing how to access emergency and urgent care in Ireland can be crucial in a crisis. The Irish emergency system works differently from other countries, and understanding when to use A&E versus other services, what to expect, and how much it costs helps you get appropriate care quickly.

This guide explains Ireland’s emergency services system, when to call 999, how A&E departments work, what out-of-hours services are available, and alternatives for non-emergency urgent care. Whether you’re dealing with a genuine emergency or unsure where to seek help, you’ll know exactly what to do.

Emergency number: 999 or 112

When to call

Call 999 or 112 for genuine emergencies:

  • Life-threatening situations
  • Serious injury
  • Severe illness
  • Immediate danger

Both numbers work:

  • 999: Traditional Irish emergency number
  • 112: EU standard emergency number
  • Both connect to same system
  • Use whichever you remember

Call for:

  • Chest pain or heart attack symptoms
  • Difficulty breathing or choking
  • Severe bleeding
  • Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
  • Suspected stroke (FAST: Face, Arms, Speech, Time)
  • Severe allergic reaction
  • Severe burns
  • Major trauma (car accident, serious fall)
  • Suspected poisoning
  • Seizures
  • Severe head injury
  • Childbirth emergency

Don’t call for:

  • Minor injuries
  • Colds, flu, mild fever
  • Prescription refills
  • Medical advice
  • Non-urgent appointments
  • Minor cuts or bruises

If unsure: Call anyway - better safe than sorry. Operators will advise.

What happens when you call

The call:

  1. Operator answers: “Emergency, which service?”
  2. You say: “Ambulance” (or fire/police if needed)
  3. Connected to ambulance dispatcher
  4. Dispatcher asks:
    • What’s the emergency?
    • Where are you? (address, Eircode if possible)
    • Phone number?
    • Patient’s age and condition?
    • Is patient breathing?
    • Is patient conscious?

Stay calm:

  • Speak clearly
  • Give exact location (street address, landmarks)
  • Follow dispatcher’s instructions
  • Don’t hang up until told
  • Dispatcher may give first aid instructions

Language:

  • Service in English (default)
  • Interpreters available if needed
  • Most operators very patient
  • Speak slowly if English not first language

Location tips:

  • Know your address/Eircode
  • Describe landmarks if rural
  • Use What3Words app (precise location)
  • Stay on line to guide ambulance if needed

Ambulance service

National Ambulance Service (NAS):

  • Operates nationwide
  • Professional paramedics
  • Advanced life support equipment
  • Free for genuine emergencies

Response times:

  • Urban areas: 10-20 minutes typical
  • Rural areas: 20-40 minutes
  • Remote areas: Can be longer
  • Life-threatening prioritized

What paramedics do:

  • Assess patient
  • Provide emergency treatment
  • Stabilize condition
  • Transport to hospital
  • Communicate with hospital
  • Emergency procedures (CPR, defibrillation, medications)

Cost:

  • Free for genuine emergencies
  • No charge for ambulance
  • May be charged for A&E visit at hospital
  • But ambulance itself is free

Private ambulances:

  • Exist but rare
  • Used for planned hospital transfers
  • Not for emergencies
  • Expensive (€200-€500+)

A&E (Accident & Emergency) departments

A&E is called “Emergency Department” (ED) in some hospitals, same service.

When to go to A&E

Go to A&E for:

  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Severe bleeding
  • Suspected broken bones
  • Deep cuts requiring stitches
  • Head injuries with confusion/vomiting
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Suspected appendicitis
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Eye injuries
  • Severe burns
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Poisoning
  • Severe pain (can’t be managed)

Don’t go to A&E for:

  • Minor cuts and bruises
  • Colds, flu, sore throat
  • Minor sprains
  • Earache
  • Prescription refills
  • Rashes (non-severe)
  • Minor burns
  • Vomiting/diarrhea (unless severe)

If unsure: Call your GP first, or use SouthDoc (out-of-hours).

Major A&E departments

Dublin:

  • St. James’s Hospital
  • Beaumont Hospital
  • Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
  • Tallaght University Hospital
  • Connolly Hospital
  • St. Vincent’s University Hospital

Cork:

  • Cork University Hospital (CUH)
  • Mercy University Hospital

Galway:

  • University Hospital Galway

Limerick:

  • University Hospital Limerick

Other cities:

  • Waterford University Hospital
  • Sligo University Hospital
  • Letterkenny University Hospital
  • Plus many more regional hospitals

Find nearest: hse.ie/emergency-departments

What to expect at A&E

Arrival:

  1. Register at reception

    • Give name, address, date of birth
    • PPS number if you have it
    • Medical card (if you have one)
    • Describe problem briefly

  2. Triage assessment

    • Nurse assesses severity
    • Vital signs taken (blood pressure, pulse, temperature)
    • Categorized by urgency (1-5)
    • Not first-come, first-served
    • Most urgent seen first

Triage categories:

  • Category 1: Immediate (life-threatening)
  • Category 2: Very urgent (10 minutes)
  • Category 3: Urgent (60 minutes)
  • Category 4: Standard (120 minutes)
  • Category 5: Non-urgent (240 minutes)

Waiting times:

  • Genuine emergencies: Immediate to minutes
  • Urgent cases: 1-3 hours typical
  • Non-urgent: 4-12+ hours possible
  • Average wait: 6-8 hours for non-emergency

Why long waits:

  • High demand
  • Staff shortages
  • Most urgent prioritized
  • Many attend for non-emergency issues
  • “Trolley crisis” (patients waiting on trolleys for beds)

During wait:

  • Stay in waiting area
  • Don’t leave without telling staff
  • Ask staff if you need bathroom
  • Bring book/phone charger if possible
  • Family can wait with you
  • Vending machines usually available

Treatment:

  • See doctor when called
  • Examination and diagnosis
  • Tests if needed (X-ray, blood tests, etc.)
  • Treatment provided
  • Prescriptions given
  • Referral to specialist if needed
  • Admission to hospital if necessary

Discharge:

  • Given discharge summary
  • Prescriptions if needed
  • Follow-up instructions
  • Return if symptoms worsen
  • GP letter if needed

A&E costs

If admitted to hospital:

  • No A&E charge
  • May have inpatient charges (€80/day, max €800/year)
  • Medical card holders: Free

If treated and discharged:

  • €100 charge
  • Billed later (not paid at time)
  • Bill arrives weeks later
  • Medical card holders: Free
  • Under 6 years old: Free
  • If referred by GP: Free

How to avoid charge:

  • See GP first (get referral)
  • Only use A&E for genuine emergencies
  • GP referral negates charge

Non-payment:

  • Can lead to debt collection
  • Better to pay
  • Payment plans available if struggling
  • Contact hospital billing if can’t pay

Tips for A&E visit

Bring:

  • ID (passport or driving license)
  • Medical card (if you have one)
  • List of current medications
  • Phone and charger
  • Book or entertainment
  • Snacks and water (may be there hours)
  • Warm clothing (can be cold)

Don’t bring:

  • Valuables
  • Large amounts of cash
  • Lots of family (1-2 max)

Tell staff if:

  • Condition worsens while waiting
  • You’re in severe pain
  • You feel faint/dizzy
  • You need bathroom assistance
  • You have allergies

Be patient:

  • Staff doing their best
  • System under pressure
  • Genuine emergencies prioritized
  • Being rude doesn’t help

Out-of-hours GP services

When GP practices are closed (evenings, nights, weekends), out-of-hours services available.

SouthDoc (South and Mid-West)

Coverage:

  • Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, Waterford
  • Largest out-of-hours service

Contact:

  • Phone: 1850 335 999
  • Website: southdoc.ie

Services:

  • Phone triage
  • GP consultations (at SouthDoc center)
  • Home visits (if medically necessary)
  • Prescriptions
  • Referrals

Hours:

  • Evenings: 6pm-8am (weekdays)
  • All day weekends
  • All day public holidays

Cost:

  • Phone consultation: Free
  • Center visit: €60-€65
  • Home visit: €100-€150
  • Medical card holders: Free

How it works:

  1. Call 1850 335 999
  2. Nurse assesses over phone
  3. Advice given or appointment made
  4. Visit SouthDoc center or doctor visits you
  5. Treatment provided

Shannondoc (West)

Coverage:

  • Galway, Mayo, Roscommon

Contact:

  • Phone: 1850 212 999

Similar service to SouthDoc:

  • Same model
  • Similar costs
  • Phone triage
  • Center visits or home visits

Dublin and other areas

Dublin:

  • Dublin Doctor on Call: 01 453 9333
  • DDDoc: 1850 909 911
  • CarDoc: 1800 40 77 77

Other regions:

  • NEDoc (North East): 1850 600 999
  • NowDoc (North): 1800 666 911
  • WestDoc (West/Midlands): Various numbers

Find your local service:

  • hse.ie/out-of-hours
  • Enter your area/Eircode
  • Get contact number

When to use out-of-hours

Appropriate:

  • Sudden illness (not emergency)
  • High fever
  • Severe pain (not life-threatening)
  • Vomiting/diarrhea (severe)
  • Suspected infection
  • Minor injuries needing assessment
  • Children’s illnesses (not breathing difficulties)

Not appropriate:

  • Life-threatening (call 999)
  • Can wait until morning (call GP)
  • Prescription refills
  • Medical certificates
  • Chronic issues

Cost-benefit:

  • €60-€80 vs 6+ hour A&E wait
  • Often faster than A&E for non-emergency
  • More personal than A&E
  • Can avoid A&E €100 charge if discharged

Minor injury units

Some hospitals have minor injury units (MIUs) or urgent care centers.

What they treat

Minor injuries:

  • Sprains and strains
  • Minor burns
  • Minor cuts (stitches if needed)
  • Minor broken bones (fingers, toes)
  • Foreign objects in wounds
  • Bites and stings (non-severe)
  • Minor head injuries (no loss of consciousness)

Don’t treat:

  • Major trauma
  • Chest pain
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Major broken bones
  • Severe bleeding
  • Anything requiring admission

Advantages

Benefits:

  • Faster than A&E (30 minutes to 2 hours typical)
  • Less busy
  • Focused on minor injuries
  • Experienced staff
  • Lower stress environment

Availability:

  • Limited locations
  • Usually daytime hours only (9am-5pm or 9am-9pm)
  • Not 24/7 like A&E
  • Check hours before going

Cost:

  • Same as A&E: €100 if not referred/admitted
  • Medical card holders: Free

Locations

Examples:

  • Some Dublin hospitals
  • Some regional hospitals
  • Growing service
  • Check hse.ie for current list

Call ahead:

  • Confirm they can treat your injury
  • Check opening hours
  • Get directions

Pharmacies for minor ailments

Pharmacists can help with:

  • Minor aches and pains
  • Colds and flu
  • Coughs
  • Allergies
  • Minor skin conditions
  • Heartburn
  • Constipation/diarrhea
  • Period pain
  • Minor eye irritation

Pharmacist advice is free:

  • Ask pharmacist before buying
  • They can recommend treatment
  • Cheaper than GP visit
  • Faster than appointment
  • Available without appointment

Pharmacists can provide:

  • Over-the-counter medications
  • Advice on symptoms
  • Advice on when to see GP
  • First aid supplies
  • Blood pressure checks
  • Some vaccinations (flu, travel)

When to see GP instead:

  • Symptoms persist >1 week
  • Symptoms worsen
  • Severe symptoms
  • Concerning symptoms
  • Unsure of diagnosis

Pharmacy hours:

  • Most: 9am-6pm weekdays, 9am-1pm Saturday
  • Some late night (until 9-10pm)
  • 24-hour pharmacies in Dublin

Find pharmacy:

  • Google Maps
  • Ask locally
  • hse.ie

Mental health emergencies

When it’s an emergency

Mental health crisis:

  • Suicidal thoughts with plan
  • Severe self-harm
  • Psychotic episode
  • Complete breakdown
  • Immediate danger to self or others

Where to go:

  • A&E department
  • Tell triage it’s mental health emergency
  • Psychiatric team will assess
  • May admit to psychiatric unit
  • Receive immediate crisis care

Crisis helplines (24/7)

Samaritans:

  • Phone: 116 123
  • Free, confidential
  • 24/7 emotional support
  • Trained listeners
  • No judgment

Pieta House:

  • Phone: 1800 247 247
  • Free suicide and self-harm crisis support
  • 24/7 helpline
  • Text HELP to 51444

Text 50808:

  • Free 24/7 crisis text line
  • Text HELLO to 50808
  • Trained volunteers
  • Confidential

Aware:

  • Phone: 1800 80 48 48
  • Depression and anxiety support
  • Support line and online support groups

Non-emergency mental health

If not immediate crisis:

  • See your GP (first step)
  • GP can refer to counseling/psychiatry
  • Community mental health teams
  • Private counseling (€60-€150/session)
  • Online therapy services

For complete mental health information, see our healthcare guide.

What to do in specific emergencies

Choking

Signs:

  • Cannot breathe or cough
  • Clutching throat
  • Face turning blue

Action:

  1. Encourage coughing if possible
  2. If cannot cough: 5 back blows between shoulder blades
  3. If still choking: 5 abdominal thrusts (Heimlich)
  4. Call 999 if not resolved
  5. Continue cycles until help arrives

Heart attack

Signs:

  • Chest pain (pressure, tightness)
  • Pain in arm, jaw, neck, back
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea, sweating
  • Feeling of doom

Action:

  1. Call 999 immediately
  2. Sit person down, keep calm
  3. Give aspirin if available (300mg, chewed)
  4. Loosen tight clothing
  5. Monitor breathing
  6. Be ready to do CPR if stops breathing

Stroke (FAST)

Signs (FAST):

  • Face: Drooping on one side
  • Arms: Cannot raise both arms
  • Speech: Slurred or confused
  • Time: Call 999 immediately

Action:

  1. Call 999 - stroke is emergency
  2. Note time symptoms started (crucial for treatment)
  3. Keep person calm
  4. Don’t give food or drink
  5. Monitor condition

Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

Signs:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling (face, lips, throat)
  • Rash, hives
  • Rapid pulse
  • Dizziness, confusion

Action:

  1. Call 999 immediately
  2. Use EpiPen if available (inject outer thigh)
  3. Lie person flat (raise legs if possible)
  4. Monitor breathing
  5. Second EpiPen dose after 5 minutes if no improvement

Severe bleeding

Action:

  1. Apply direct pressure with clean cloth
  2. Maintain pressure (don’t remove cloth)
  3. Raise injured area above heart if possible
  4. Call 999 if bleeding severe or doesn’t stop
  5. Don’t use tourniquet unless trained

Burns

Minor burns:

  • Cool under cold water 10-20 minutes
  • Don’t use ice
  • Cover with cling film or clean cloth
  • Take paracetamol for pain

Severe burns (>3 inches, deep, face/hands/genitals):

  1. Call 999
  2. Cool with water but not for too long (hypothermia risk)
  3. Cover loosely with cling film
  4. Don’t remove stuck clothing
  5. Don’t use creams/ointments

Poisoning

Action:

  1. Call 999 if serious
  2. Call Poisons Information: 01 809 2166
  3. Don’t make person vomit
  4. Keep poison container
  5. Note what, when, how much

Children and emergencies

When to bring child to A&E

Bring immediately if:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Blue lips or skin
  • Unresponsive or very drowsy
  • Severe head injury
  • High fever with rash (doesn’t fade when pressed)
  • Persistent vomiting (can’t keep fluids down)
  • Severe pain
  • Seizure (first time)
  • Severe allergic reaction

Can usually wait for GP:

  • Fever alone (no rash)
  • Mild vomiting/diarrhea
  • Earache
  • Minor injuries
  • Rashes (non-serious)
  • Cold symptoms

Children under 6

Advantages:

  • Free GP visits
  • Free A&E visits
  • Call GP first for advice
  • GP can see same day often

Use your GP first when possible - they know your child.

Children’s hospitals

Dublin:

  • Children’s Health Ireland (Crumlin)
  • Children’s Health Ireland (Temple Street)
  • Specialist pediatric care
  • Use if nearest A&E

Other areas:

  • Bring to regular A&E
  • Pediatric staff available
  • Excellent care

Tourists and visitors

Healthcare access

Emergency care:

  • Always accessible
  • Call 999 if emergency
  • Go to A&E if needed
  • Will not be refused

Costs for visitors:

  • A&E: €100 if treated and discharged
  • Hospital admission: Charged (expensive)
  • Ambulance: Free
  • No insurance: Very expensive

European Health Insurance Card (EHIC):

  • EU/EEA visitors
  • Covers emergency public healthcare
  • Present at hospital
  • Reduces costs significantly

Travel insurance:

  • Essential for non-EU visitors
  • Covers healthcare costs
  • Arrange before travel
  • USA visitors especially need this

Finding help as tourist

If you need help:

  • Ask hotel/accommodation for advice
  • Use Google Maps to find pharmacy
  • Call SouthDoc or out-of-hours service
  • Go to A&E if genuine emergency

Summary

Ireland’s emergency services are accessible and professional:

Key emergency contacts:

  • Emergency (life-threatening): 999 or 112
  • Out-of-hours GP (South): 1850 335 999 (SouthDoc)
  • Mental health crisis: 1800 247 247 (Pieta House)
  • Samaritans: 116 123
  • Poisons information: 01 809 2166

When to use each service:

999/112:

  • Life-threatening emergencies only
  • Chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe trauma
  • Ambulance free for emergencies

A&E:

  • Serious injuries/illness (not life-threatening)
  • Suspected broken bones
  • Deep cuts needing stitches
  • Severe pain
  • Cost: €100 if discharged (free if admitted)

Out-of-hours GP:

  • Sudden illness (evenings/weekends)
  • Not emergency but can’t wait until morning
  • Fever, infections, minor injuries
  • Cost: €60-€80

Regular GP:

  • Non-urgent issues
  • During normal hours
  • Make appointment
  • Cost: €50-€70

Pharmacy:

  • Minor ailments
  • First advice (free)
  • Over-the-counter medications
  • Fastest for minor issues

Key reminders:

  • Don’t hesitate to call 999 if genuine emergency
  • Better safe than sorry
  • A&E waits can be very long (6-12 hours) for non-emergency
  • Use GP or out-of-hours when possible
  • Medical card holders: Everything free
  • Keep emergency numbers saved in phone

For tourists:

  • Emergency care always accessible
  • Travel insurance essential (non-EU)
  • EHIC card (EU visitors)
  • Will be charged for treatment

Ireland’s emergency services are good quality and accessible to all. Knowing which service to use for different situations helps you get appropriate care quickly and efficiently. Keep emergency numbers saved, stay calm in emergencies, and don’t hesitate to seek help when needed.

For related information, see our healthcare system guide, finding a GP guide, and private health insurance guide.