"Patients should have access to other clinics in their area"

On a recent visit to the A&E Dept at Navan General Hospital with my son, we had his wrist injury assessed, diagnosed and treated. Our experience of this service was excellent and the staff were phenomenal. Our whole time from arrival to discharge was under 1 hour and this was down to the extremely efficient and professional staff that dealt with us.

As we suspected our son had a slight fracture to his wrist and was treated with a slab and support bandage with a follow up referral to a fracture clinic.

Our decision to attend Navan General was made considering either to attend that Hospital or Blanchardstown Hospital (which is closer to our home). Factoring in the possibility that Blanchardstown would be busier with a longer waiting time we made the correct decision in choosing Navan.

Unfortunately there is no fracture clinic in Navan so we have been referred to Our Lady’s Hospital in Drogheda for this clinic which will greatly inconvenience us. I requested to the Nurse if it was possible to refer us to Blanchardstown and was informed that she could not do this. I think it would greatly improve the service and patients after care if A&E Staff could have access to other clinics in the area which they could assign for appointments which they could use at their own discretion. I'm sure this would benefit those who rely on public transport for follow up appointments.