Naas General Hospital has opened a new injury unit in Vista Primary Care, Naas, Ireland.

Diagnostic service provider Affidea will operate the new facility, which was established as part of a pilot project with funding from the HSE winter plan.

Naas Hospital Injury Unit started receiving patients on the 29th of this month, with residents of Kildare and West Wicklow aged 16 years and above able to gain access to the unit seven days a week.

It will operate from 10am to 8pm, including bank holidays.

The public service is available for a walk-in fee of €75, which is lower than the €100 fee charged at emergency departments.

Patients with a medical card, a referral letter from general practice, KDoc, or the ED will not be charged.

Waiting times at the injury units are said to be notably shorter than those at busy emergency units, with more critically ill patients given higher priority.

The injury unit takes an average time of less than two hours to see and discharge the patients.

This new facility is equipped to treat a variety of injuries, including broken bones, sprains, strains, minor facial injuries, scalds, burns, wounds, bites, cuts, grazes, scalp lacerations, small abscesses, and minor head injuries, among others.

Additionally, it offers full imaging and x-ray services.

Naas General Hospital hospital manager Kieran McDonald said: “We are delighted with this pilot service development and extension to our hospital services and, more importantly, for our patients presenting with minor injuries who previously found themselves waiting for longer periods of time in the Emergency Department. 

“The new injury unit is a walk-in service with no referral necessary and full diagnostics are available on site.

“The development of an injury unit will also benefit our excellent and committed Emergency Department staff who continue to provide a valued emergency service to our patients.”