53,489 patients choose Injury Units first for urgent care

6.9% increase in attendance at Mid West Injury Units in 2025

Patients typically seen and treated in under two hours

MORE than 53,000 patients avoided unnecessary long waits at the busy Emergency Department during 2025 by attending the three Mid West Injury Units at St John’s, Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals.

The three units processed a total of 53,489 minor injuries (of which 50,423 were new patients, and 3,066 reviews). This was 6.9% greater than the regional attendance total for 2024. The total of new patients attending the units increased at a similar rate (6.6%). Today, more than one in three of all unscheduled care patients attending HSE acute hospitals across the region are seen in one of our Injury Units.

Injury Units, open 8am-8pm seven days a week (including bank holidays), are where you should head to, instead of the Emergency Department, if you need urgent treatment for minor injuries such as breaks, sprains and burns.

Patients are typically seen and treated in under two hours, with follow-up reviews in the unit arranged as required.

You don’t need an appointment, and if you’re referred by a GP, you will not have to pay the €75 fee. If you’re uncertain about your injury, or unsure how to get to the units, ring the Injury Unit that’s closest to your location, and our expert teams can advise you:

• St John’s Injury Unit, Limerick (8am-8pm), 061 462132
• Ennis Injury Unit (8am-8pm), 065 686 3121
• Nenagh Injury Unit (8am-8pm), 067 42311

UHL continues to experience high ED attendances – a daily average of 280 in the year to date – many of whom could be fully treated within two hours had they instead chosen to attend an Injury Unit.

For All Ireland-winning Tipperary senior hurler Craig Morgan, access and efficiency is all important when it comes to treatment of sports injuries. After injuring his hand in a county championship match with his club Kilruane MacDonaghs last year, Craig attended Nenagh Injury Unit and was on the road to recovery in no time. “I find the Nenagh Injury Unit really handy when I get an injury. You’re normally in and out in less than two hours and the care you get is exceptional. The expert staff are kind, helpful, and they understand sporting injuries and the frustration that can come with them. Whether it’s a break, dislocation, sprain or cut, the injury unit is the first place I’d think about going if I need an x-ray, sling, or a few stitches.”

Dr Joe Kelly, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at University Hospital Limerick and St John’s Hospital Injury Unit, explains:

One important characteristic of Injury Units is the nursing grade of Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP), senior specialist nurses who can, like doctors, lead the patient’s care journey from admission right through to discharge.

RANP Mhairi Barron, based at Ennis Injury Unit, which in 2022 was refurbished in a €2m service investment, explains: “When patients attend the Injury Unit, they will be seen by either an RANP or a Doctor. ANPs can see all patients within criteria, and perform a full episode of care. It’s this skills mix that ensures timely, efficient care for minor injuries--rapid, efficient, high-level care with good outcomes.”