Private Accident and Emergency Department in our Dublin and Galway Clinics
Blackrock Health Emergency Department (ED) offers access to expert medical care when you need it most. At our three hospitals in Dublin and Galway, we are dedicated to providing urgent and compassionate care. We offer you fast-track access to our diagnostic tests and procedures.
In our hospitals, you will always be seen by a consultant with specialist training in Emergency Medicine ensuring you receive accurate and timely diagnosis. Whether you need emergency care for a minor issue or a more serious condition involving onward admission to the hospital, our team is here to provide you with the best possible care and support.
Cases will be triaged based on clinical assessment by our expert medical team.
- Acute medical emergencies
- Acute surgical emergencies (Blackrock Clinic & Hermitage Clinic only)
- Minor injuries – sprains, strains and wounds
- Fractures and orthopaedic trauma (Blackrock Clinic & Hermitage Clinic only)
- Respiratory conditions (including shortness of breath)
- Gastrointestinal conditions
- Chest pain, and acute cardiac conditions (treated in specialist Rapid Cardiac Care unit)
When our services are not the most appropriate for your condition, you will be advised to seek assistance from your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department. This includes patient issues relating to the following:
- Acute stroke
- Overdose
- Ear nose and throat (ENT) emergencies
- Eye (ophthalmology) emergencies
- Gynaecology emergencies
- Pregnancy-related complaints
- Mental illness (psychology & psychiatry)
- Neurological conditions
Blackrock Clinic Emergency Department
- Monday to Friday: 8 am – 6 pm.
- Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays: 10 am – 5 pm.
- Call us on 1800 283 999 during opening hours.
- No appointment is needed to attend.
- Over 16s only.
- The ED attendance fee at Blackrock Clinic is €235.00. Where you incur ED attendance charges, they will be capped at €650.00 (exclusions apply such as referral to a specialist consultant, cardiac MRI and cardiac CT).
Galway Clinic Emergency Department
- Monday to Friday: 10 am – 6 pm
- Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays: 10 am – 5 pm
- Call us on 1800 283 999 during opening hours
- Patients are advised to phone ahead to make an appointment before they attend.
- Over 16s (Minor injuries only for children over the age of 5.)
- The ED attendance fee at Galway Clinic is €235.00. Where you incur ED attendance charges, they will be capped at €650.00 (exclusions apply such as referral to a specialist consultant and cardiac CT).
Hermitage Clinic Emergency Department
- Monday to Sunday including Bank Holidays: 8 am – 5 pm
- Call us on 1800 283 999 during opening hours
- Patients are advised to phone ahead to make an appointment before they attend.
- Over 16s only.
- The ED attendance fee at Hermitage Clinic is €235.00. Where you incur ED attendance charges, they will be capped at €650.00 (exclusions apply such as referral to a specialist consultant, cardiac MRI and cardiac CT).
The Hermitage Clinic requires a pre-authorised amount to be held for all potential costs not covered by private health insurance within our Emergency Department. This amount is in line with our capped charge of €650. Patients will only be charged for the services provided.
What to expect during your Emergency Department experience with Blackrock Health
At Blackrock Health, our objective is to provide clarity and comfort, helping you navigate this critical juncture in your healthcare journey with confidence and a better sense of control.
Visiting the Emergency Department (ED) can be an overwhelming experience, filled with uncertainty and anxiety. It's a situation where patients and their families are often at their most vulnerable, facing acute health issues that require immediate attention.
Understanding what to expect during your time in the ED can significantly ease the stress of the experience.
The following information is designed to guide you through the typical processes and procedures you may encounter in one of our specialist private A&E units, from the moment you arrive to when you receive urgent care and eventually discharge.
We aim to shed light on the roles of the healthcare professionals you'll meet, the types of tests and treatments that might be performed, and how decisions are made regarding your care.
When you arrive at the Emergency Department, a triage nurse will assess your condition. They will decide how urgently medical attention is needed. This process is called “triage” and helps the team decide in which order to see patients - so those with the most serious conditions are seen first. The nurse will take down details of your medical history and any medications you are taking before performing an assessment.
Advances in technology enable us to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions more quickly and accurately than ever before. In our Emergency Departments, Blackrock Health offers fast access to diagnostics, tests and imaging. These are used to help make a diagnosis so that the appropriate treatment can be administered. Examples of diagnostic tests include blood tests, urine analysis, X-rays and scans such as CT or MRI scans. These will be used in combination to decide what treatment, such as medication or surgery, will give you the best outcome.
Imaging techniques like ultrasound and echocardiography can also detect abnormalities within the body. This can help medical staff diagnose problems such as heart valve disorders or abdominal pain. The results obtained from these imaging tests can help determine what type of treatment to provide. They can be life-saving in the case of heart issues. You can learn more about our Rapid Cardiac Care service.
When you attend our Emergency Department, you will be assessed and treated based on the severity of your condition. In some cases, treatment may be immediate medical intervention. In other cases, you may need to be transferred to another department for specialist care.
If you are stable enough to be discharged after treatment, you will receive instructions on follow-up care and medications. Depending on the nature of your injury or illness, you may be referred back to your GP, or for further assessment at a later date.
Depending on the severity of your condition our Emergency Department team may decide that you need to be admitted to a medical or surgical ward. However, this will depend on bed availability at the hospital. If we do not have bed available, we will let you know before you attend the Emergency Department.
Some common Emergency Department patient questions answered:
At Blackrock Health Private Hospitals in Dublin and Galway, we understand that a visit to the Emergency Department (ED) can be a stressful experience, filled with uncertainty.
To help ease your concerns and provide clear information, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions specific to our Emergency Departments. Our goal is to care for patients and to make your visit as smooth and reassuring as possible, ensuring you receive the care you need promptly and efficiently.
No, you do not need a referral to visit our Emergency Departments in Dublin or Galway. Patients can present themselves directly to the ED, though in some cases, your GP may direct you to us if they feel you need urgent care.
Before you visit our Galway and Hermitage EDs, please call ahead and make an appointment. Telephone 1800 283 999 and follow the instructions.
Please bring your personal identification, medical insurance information (if applicable), a list of any medications you are currently taking (including dosages), and any relevant medical records or notes from your GP.
If possible, also bring a contact number for next of kin or a close family member.
Waiting times can vary depending on the number of patients in the ED and the severity of their conditions. We strive to see and treat all patients as efficiently as possible.
Yes, we understand the importance of having support during such times. However, for the comfort and privacy of all our patients, we may limit the number of people who can accompany each patient within the treatment areas.
If the ED consultant determines that you need to be admitted for further treatment or observation, our staff will facilitate this process. Your care team will keep you informed about what to expect next.
At Blackrock Health Private Hospitals, we accept various payment options, including direct payment, and private insurance claims (subject to your policy terms and conditions). Please speak with our admissions team for more detailed information about your specific situation.
Click on this link for more 'payments and insurance information'.
Yes, both our Dublin and Galway locations have parking facilities available for patients and visitors.
Please visit the page linked below where you'll find detailed location, parking, and parking information on our three hospitals and diagnostic clinic:
We welcome your feedback as it helps us to continuously improve our services. You can provide feedback directly to any member of our hospital staff during your visit, or you can contact our reception staff through our website or by phone after your visit.
We hope these FAQs have addressed some of your concerns. Should you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to contact our team today for more information.
If you've got a medical complaint that needs urgent care, call our Emergency Department team on 1800 283 999 and follow the instructions.
For Rapid Cardiac Care call us on 1800 911 985.