Health Services

• HSE
• Medical Card
• Doctors
• Local Injury Unit
• Hospitals
• Mental Health
• Dental and Orthodontic Services in Limerick
• A Guide to Quitting Smoking
• Sexual Health
• Unplanned Pregnancy

---

HSE

HSE National Social Inclusion Office and Translate Ireland have developed a series of videos entitled My Health, My Language for Foreign Nationals to give them information on healthcare in Ireland.

Please visit www.hse.ie and choose your preferred language.

Back to top

---

Medical Card

The medical card entitles people with lower income to free public health services, including doctor visits and medicines at a reduced price. The medical card will cover you, your kids (under 16) and your partner; however, children aged over 16 must apply separately. If you will have a new baby you need to apply to add the newborn to your medical card as soon as they have been assigned a PPSN.

Anyone who is ‘ordinarily resident’ in the Republic of Ireland can apply for a medical card or GP visit card. This includes families, single people, even those working full or part-time. ‘Ordinarily resident’ means that you are living here and intend to live here for at least one year.

To qualify for a medical card, your weekly income must be below a certain figure for your family size.

How to apply

• The quickest way to get a medical card or GP visit card is to apply online here.
• By post, download the medical card:
  • MC1 Medical Card and GP Visit Card Application Form (pdf)
  • MC1(a) Medical Card and GP Visit Card Application Form - People Aged 70 Years or Older (pdf) if you are aged over 70

Make sure all your information is correct and include all supporting documentation. If you have any questions before you send your application, you can phone Lo-call 0818 22 44 78

Post the completed form to:

National Medical Card Unit,
PO Box 11745,
Dublin 11,
D11 XKF3

You need to inform HSE when you change address, you must state your name, name of all dependents linked to the card, card number, PPS number and new address. The most effective way of doing this is through email nmcu.cod@hse.ie , you can also call 0818224478.

To read more please visit Medical Card (citizensinformation.ie)

Back to top

---

Doctors

General Practitioners (GPs)

General practitioners (GPs) are family doctors. They treat all common medical conditions. A GP is usually the first doctor you will see about non-emergency illnesses and health issues. They refer people to hospitals and medical services for urgent and specialist treatment.

To find a GP please visit  Irish College of General Practitioners

If you can’t get a GP to accept you on their patient list, try another GP in your area. Contact the HSE if 3 GPs have declined to accept you on to their patient list and the HSE will assign you a GP

HSE Live

HSE Live can give you the names and contact numbers of GP’s in your area and answer general questions about the health service.

HSE Live is open:

• Monday to Friday: 8am to 8pm
• Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 5pm

Phone

• Freephone: 1800 700 700
• Phone: 01 240 8787

Twitter

• Send us a direct message on Twitter and we'll get back to you. @HSELive

Email

• You cannot contact HSELive by email.

Currently HSE is running GP clinics for displaced Ukrainians without assigned GP in St. Brendan’s Health Centre in Limerick City V94 AX66, 3 days a week. Ukrainians can ring 087-1869697 to make an appointment, if there is no answer please send a text message (sms), this will be responded to in a timely manner. The people manning the phones for appointments are native Ukrainian speakers.

Needing a GP Out of Hours

1. ShannonDoc is an Urgent Out of Hours GP service for patients who cannot safely wait to see their own GP.
2. ShannonDoc operates strictly by appointment only and is not a walk-in service. Phone us on LoCall number 0818 123 500 or 061 459 500 for medical assistance.
3. ShannonDoc is not an Emergency Service. Patients who require emergency medical attention should attend their nearest Emergency Department (ED) or phone 999 or 112.
4. ShannonDoc operates in the Midwest region covering Counties Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary.
5. ShannonDoc services are available to you if your GP is a member of the ShannonDoc Co-op. The services are also available to Patients who are temporarily visiting the region.

Shannondoc is NOT a walk-in service. You must have an appointment.

Limerick city (Core Centre)	6PM to 8AM	6PM Friday to 8AM Monday (9AM BHs) Bank Holidays (including Good Fridays and Christmas eve) 9AM to 8AM
Newcastlewest (Core Centre)	6PM to 8AM	6PM Friday to 8AM Monday (9AM BHs) Bank Holidays (including Good Fridays and Christmas eve) 9AM to 8AM
Hospital (Regional Centre) **	6PM to 8AM	6PM Friday to 8AM Monday (9AM BHs) Bank Holidays (including Good Fridays and Christmas eve) 9AM to 8AM

** Doctor may not be onsite at all times, but there is a doctor on duty available to see patients when and if required.

Back to top

---

Local Injury Unit

Injury Units are for the treatment of minor injuries that are unlikely to need admission to hospital.

The Injury Unit is a walk-in service. No appointment or GP referral is required.

Our Injury Units in St John’s Hospital Limerick treat non-life-threatening injuries in adults and children over five years. For more info, visit hse.ie/injuryunits  

St. John’s Hospital
Address: St. John’s Square,
Limerick, V94H272
Opening Hours:  Every day 8am-7pm

Back to top

---

Hospitals

University Hospital Limerick

An Emergency Department (ED) deals with serious injuries, unexpected and life-threatening emergencies. Phone 112 or 999 if you need urgent medical help or don’t know what to do.

Address: St Nessan’s Road,
Dooradoyle,
Limerick, V94 F858.
Opening Hours: 24h/7

Maternity Hospital 

Every woman who is pregnant and ordinarily resident in Ireland is entitled to free maternity care under the Maternity and Infant Scheme. Ordinarily resident means you are living here, or you intend to remain living here for at least one year. This service is provided by a family doctor (GP) of your choice and a hospital obstetrician. You are entitled to this service even if you do not have a medical card.

Address: Ennis Road
Limerick, V94 C566.
Service: Maternity care from early pregnancy to delivery
Opening Hours: 24h/7

Back to top

---

Mental Health

You can access a wide range of mental health support and services from information on how to self-help and helplines to talk to someone, through to online and in-person services such as counselling and advocacy.

• Find information about all the mental health support available at www.YourMentalHealth.ie or by calling our HSE YourMentalHealth information line on 1800 111 888.
• Aware provide free support, education and information to those impacted by mental health concerns. For information or to find a local support group, visit www.aware.ie
• MyMind is providing counselling and psychotherapy at reduced price. This service is provided in English and a range of other languages. Visit www.mymind.org
• ISPCC: Childline offer a confidential 24-hour listening online, Text and Chat service for children and young people up to the age of 18 to talk about any issue. Text 50101 or register for the online chat service at www.childline.ie Call the 24-hour European Helpline on 116 111 or Childline on 1800 66 66 66. For more information, visit www.ispcc.ie
• Living Works START Programme.  Living Works START is a 90 minute online interactive training programme that will give you the skills and knowledge to keep others safe from suicide.  Please click on attached link:  Suicide Prevention Skills

Anyone in urgent need of Mental Health Services can access this through a GP, if after 5pm they can ring University Hospital Limerick 061-301111 or attend the University Hospital Limerick and ask for the Mental Health Crisis Team after 4pm.

Back to top

---

Dental and Orthodontic Services in Limerick

Free dental services are available to adults over 16 years with a medical card through the Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS). Services available to medical card holders include: a dental examination. Teeth cleaning. There is very limited services available under this scheme.

When you phone for an appointment, please tell the receptionist you have a medical card and they will tell you if they are members of the Dental Treatment Scheme otherwise you will be liable to pay.

THE Mid-West HSE Dental Service provides dental care to children (under 16) and adults with special needs.

Primary school children in target primary school classes , usually 1st/2nd class and 6th class, and children with special needs are offered scheduled appointments where their oral health is assessed and limited routine treatment is provided during follow up appointments.

The clinic to which your child will be called is based on the location of their primary school. Contact details for the Limerick HSE dental clinics is given below. Some of the smaller clinics do not open every day.  Appointments are on weekdays and will likely occur during school hours.

Urgent Dental Care for Children:

Urgent dental care is available for children under 16 years of age, following triage, and is by appointment only. The definition of urgent dental care includes uncontrolled bleeding, pain, trauma, abscess and swelling.

If your child requires an urgent appointment please phone your local clinic between 9am and 9:30am, staff will endeavour to give you an appointment as soon as possible (contact details below). The earlier the call is received the earlier the problem can be dealt with.

There are currently no walk in clinics operating.

Orthodontic Service:

Children will be assessed at the 6th class check-up to determine if they are likely to qualify for orthodontic treatment with the HSE (qualification as per the Department of Health’s Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need).  Children who are likely to qualify are then referred to the HSE Orthodontic Service for a full orthodontic examination where they may be placed on a waiting list for orthodontic treatment if deemed within the guidelines by the orthodontic department.

If your child does not attend for their 6th class check-up it may not be possible to refer them to the HSE Orthodontic Service at a later stage

Orthodontic Department

St. Camillus' Hospital, Shelbourne Road, Limerick Tel: 061 326677

Parents/guardians can access the clinic by phoning the Dental Department (061-483745) between 9 and 9.30 on each morning for an appointment or consultation. There will be no walk in service.

Contact details:

Clinic	Eircode	Phone number	Address
Abbeyfeale	V94P796	061 464480	Abbeyfeale Health Centre, Colbert Terrace, Abbeyfeale
Askeaton	V94XW80	087 2353201	Askeaton Health Centre, Askeaton (presently closed)
Bruff	V35DK19	061 382607	Bruff Health Centre, Bruff    (presently closed)
Dooradoyle	V94H662	061 482620	Dooradoyle Health Centre, Dooradoyle,  Limerick
Foynes	V94W3V7	061 464480	Foynes Health Centre, Main St, Foynes
Hospital	V35EA44	061 383031	Hospital Health Centre, Hospital
Kilmallock	V35K389	063 36913 06336917	Killmalock Primary Care Centre, Killmallock Business Park Centre, Killmallock
Newcastlewest	V42AN23	069 77177	Newcastlewest Dental Clinic , Gortboy Rd, Newcastlewest
Rathkeale	V94VK38	069 64440	Rathkeale Health Centre, Old Limerick Rd, Rathkeale
Southhill	V94E5Y9	061 209974 061 209975	Southill Health Centre, O’Malley Park, Southill, Limerick
St Camillus	V945V24	061 483745 061 483753	St Camillus’ Hospital, Shelbourne Rd, Limerick

Back to top

---

A Guide to Quitting Smoking

If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your health.  If you’re ready to QUIT, the HSE are ready to help.   Please read the following leaflet for the tips, tools and support you need to make your last stop

English Version please click on the following Link: A guide to quitting smoking English

You can also download in several languages if you click on this link www.hea.lthpromotion.ie  You need to scroll down and search by topic (enter Smoking) and you can download the PDF. 

Back to top

---

Sexual Health

Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) published a number of easy-to-read guides designed to present information on the different aspects of Sexual Health in an accessible way. For more information visit www.sexualwellbeing.ie

Contraception

Women and people with a uterus aged 17 to 26 can get contraception for free.

The costs covered include:

• GP or doctor’s appointments - to talk about contraception options and for repeat prescriptions when needed
• prescriptions given by your doctor - these will be given free of charge at participating pharmacies
• your choice of contraception - from the types covered below
• fittings and removals of implants and IUDs or IUSs (coils)
• any check-ups or other follow up care needed, relating to your implant or coil
• emergency contraception (morning after pill)

Comprehensive information on the range of contraceptive methods is very important to enable people to make informed decisions about the most appropriate method of contraception for them.

 ‘What you need to know about contraception’. This is an easy-to-read guide designed to present information on the different methods of contraception in an accessible way.

The guide is intended to support women (and their partners) to choose a method of contraception; or to be used as part of a contraception consultation with a doctor or family planning clinic in discussing the options available.

A guide to Contraception is available in ten lanuages please click on this link: A guide to Contraception

Back to top

---

Unplanned Pregnancy

My Options is a HSE service that provides confi­dential information and support if you are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Professional, experienced counsellors can talk to you about all your options, including continued pregnancy supports and abortion services. Contact the My Options Freephone line on 1800 828 010. For more information visit unplanned-pregnancy (hsi.ie)

If you do not speak English, My Options can provide you with an interpreter. They will help you speak to a My Options counsellor over the telephone in your own language.

They can provide an interpreter for 240 different languages. This service is free and confidential.

If you would like to speak to a MyOptions counsellor using an interpreter, call them on freephone 1800 82 80 10.

You or someone on your behalf will need to:

• tell what language you speak
• give your phone number

An interpreter will phone you back for a 3-way call between:

• you
• a My Options counsellor
• the interpreter

Back to top

In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 or 112 to ask for an ambulance. These numbers are free to call and work on any phone.