The public is being urged to use the local injury unit at Roscommon University Hospital rather than waiting in overcrowded hospital Emergency Departments, like Portiuncula, Castlebar, Sligo or Galway.
Roscommon/ Galway Independent deputy Denis Naughten is encouraging patients to ask GPs if they can have tests or x-rays in Roscommon University Hospital rather than spending hours in an ED waiting to see a doctor before accessing x-rays or scans.
Roscommon’s Injury Unit can treat broken bones, dislocations, sprains, strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns that are unlikely to need admission to hospital.
The deputy argues that a better utilisation of Roscommon’s injury unit, can provide patients with faster diagnosis and discharge.
With the emergency departments of hospitals across the region at breaking point so far this winter, he believes the time taken to travel to Roscommon with a patient, could be time well spent.
Deputy Naughten has been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley about the value of the Injuty Unit at Roscommon University Hospital.
