HSE hospital types

Our public hospitals provide a mix of both planned and emergency healthcare services at more than 50 public hospitals in communities across the country.

There are a number of different ways that patients are seen and treated in hospitals depending on whether the patient stays overnight and whether or not the hospital appointment was planned or unplanned, in the case of an emergency.

Outpatient

An outpatient appointment at a hospital is a patient consultation with a consultant or a member of their team.

Day case

A day case is a planned/scheduled admission to a hospital for a patient on an elective basis for care and/or treatment which does not require use of a hospital bed overnight and who is discharged on the same day as planned.

Inpatient

An inpatient is a planned/scheduled or emergency admission for care and/or treatment for a patient who attends a hospital for care or treatment and will require the use of a hospital bed overnight.

Emergency Care

This is not planned, and it is not possible to make an appointment. Patients may go to an Emergency Department with a referral letter from their GP, in an ambulance following an accident or by walking in. Emergency care also includes patients who attend injury units.

Latest statistics

Hospital activity report February 2026

Hospital activity report January 2026