IRELAND | Medical | Health System

1. Key features of the healthcare system

The healthcare system in Ireland is divided into a private and a public system, the latter being known as the Health Service Executive (HSE). Ireland takes a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare in hospitals. Patient care is provided by a combination of doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Primary health care in Ireland is predominantly provided by general practitioners (GPs) who either work independently in branches or in an emergency centre together with other GPs and nurses. There is an out-of-hours GP emergency service in every part of the country. Healthcare in Northern Ireland is provided by the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom.

Visitors to Ireland from the EU, EU Economic Area countries and Switzerland are entitled to healthcare during their stay. Holders of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are entitled to free medical treatment under the public healthcare system. Services provided by private doctors in private practice or in private hospitals must be financed by the insured person themselves. If someone is travelling to Ireland with the aim of receiving medical treatment, the EHIC does not cover the costs.

 

2. Particular features of the system relating to emergency medical care

The freephone numbers for the emergency services are 999 or 112 and all major hospitals have emergency departments. If you dial one of the two emergency numbers, you will be connected to a member of staff at the control centre of the public health system (HSE). If language barriers prevent information from being passed on over the phone, a translator service is available. In a telephone conference between all three parties, the translator then takes over the transfer of information between the employee in the control centre and the original caller.

All staff in hospitals and emergency centres speak English. A translation service is also available to patients in some hospitals.

Individuals in Ireland can contact accident and emergency departments directly.

 

3. Significant constraints on the availability of emergency medical care

All larger hospitals have an accident and emergency department. Some hospitals also have a separate admission department that is only accessible to privately insured patients with minor injuries.

The rescue team will examine the patient at the scene before taking them to a ‘Centre of Excellence’. This does not necessarily have to be the nearest hospital.

If there is no emergency, the deployment of an ambulance is subject to a doctor's decision and may be subject to a charge.

 

4. Different roles and responsibilities of staff working in emergency medical care

All ambulances (rescue vehicles that leave after a call to 999 / 112) are manned by a paramedic and a more highly qualified paramedic who are able to provide a wide range of treatments and life-saving measures. Sometimes ambulance rapid response cars are dispatched to the scene before the emergency ambulance or later to provide specialised medical treatment. All ambulances (ambulance rapid response cars and emergency ambulance) are equipped to deal with cardiac emergencies.

In Dublin, the capital of Ireland, the deployment of ambulances is co-ordinated by the fire service and the HSE. It is not uncommon for fire engines to attend emergencies there.

 

5. Cultural or religious issues

In the past, the healthcare system in Ireland was established and maintained by Christian religious orders. Even today, some hospitals are still located on monastery grounds and are run by the monastery. Although the majority of hospitals are now publicly owned, some of these hospitals, which are staffed by nuns and whose actions are based on a Christian attitude, receive state support. A Christian background is generally present in both public and private providers in Ireland. Religious symbols can be found in many Irish hospitals. On request, multi-faith chaplaincy is available for patients in most Irish hospitals.

Ireland is generally very sensitive to the cultural and religious needs of all who live in or visit Ireland. To support healthcare staff - even those from different cultural backgrounds - an intercultural guide for the healthcare sector has been produced. This aims to improve the care of patients from other cultures through information, skills and awareness raising.

Friends and/or family members are encouraged to stay with the patient during emergency care.

There are certain visiting times for family members and relatives. However, the regulations vary from clinic to clinic.

Adolescents over the age of 16 can give their consent to surgical interventions. However, the law is unclear as to whether adolescents under the age of 18 may refuse treatment.

Individual dietary requirements are taken into account as far as possible. However, patients may only eat the food provided by the clinic. The consumption of food brought from home is prohibited.

 

6. Form of Address

In Ireland, the form of address between doctor and patient is either formal, using the surname, or informal, using the first name, depending on individual preference and the situation.

 

7. References

Last Modification: 14.02.2025 - Contact Person: Webmaster