New Athlone injury unit to open this year

The Department of Health has said a new Athlone injury unit, which is designed to help ease the pressure on Emergency Departments at Portiuncula and Tullamore hospitals, is expected to open before the end of this year.

The service is to be put in place at the Clonbrusk Primary Care Centre, and, according to the department, it will be equipped to "handle cases like broken bones (excluding those requiring specialist treatment), sprains, minor facial injuries, wounds, and minor burns".

A Department spokesperson said the new injury unit was "set to open in late 2025" and that it would be "a valuable addition to the local healthcare infrastructure."

The unit "will allow individuals with minor injuries to receive prompt and appropriate care without needing to attend an Emergency Department".

"The injury unit is expected to offer services for both adults and children over five years old, with on-site x-ray diagnostics available," said the spokesperson.

"The Athlone injury unit is anticipated to be open 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, similar to other injury units. The staff will be able to refer patients to other specialist teams and arrange follow-up appointments where needed."

The HSE's Dublin and Midlands region said the Athlone unit "will be staffed by a multidisciplinary team including medical, nursing, radiology, and support personnel" and that it "will provide timely care for patients with minor injuries, helping to reduce pressure on Emergency Departments".

The HSE said an "implementation group" had been established "to oversee the setup and operationalisation" of the Athlone unit.

"The group is working to ensure the service is delivered efficiently and to the highest standards of patient care," it said.

Speaking about the announcement, Louisea Burke, general manager of Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore, commented: “The plans to open the local injury unit in Athlone mark a significant step forward in improving access to urgent care for the people of the Midlands.

"By treating minor injuries locally, we can ease the burden on our Emergency Departments and ensure patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

"We are committed to delivering a high-quality service that meets the needs of the community."

The HSE added that specific details on the opening date and operational hours of the new unit in Clonbrusk would be announced shortly.