4,000 avoid ED visit since November 2024

More than 4,000 people have avoided a trip to an emergency department since November 2024, instead being looked after by HSE South-West’s Urgent Virtual Care Service (UVC).

The service has seen 5,743 patients since launching at the end of 2024. Of the patients seen, 4,192 (73%) have avoided attending an emergency department.

It offers patients in Cork and Kerry alternatives to attending an emergency department, including remote consultations.

The service allows GPs and paramedics to consult directly – by phone or video call – with a senior medical decision maker in emergency medicine or geriatric medicine.

Virtual consultations and assessments are provided from a centralised hub, located at Cork University Hospital (CUH), by a team of senior clinicians and support staff.

Prof. Conor Deasy, Clinical Director of Emergency and Acute Care at CUH said the service was a much-welcomes addition.

“It helps patients get the right care, from the right clinicians, at the right time. Often, patients can bypass the emergency department entirely and access their care directly,” he said.

Emma Syle, a previous user of the service, said her experience was very positive.

“They took care of me immediately, there was no waiting around, and I felt like I was being really cared for. I would recommend Urgent Virtual Care to other people,” she said.

The service offers a number of options after referral, including a direct telephone call or video consultation with the patient or GP; access to services which deliver care in the patient’s own home or nursing home; and a structured and scheduled visit to the emergency department when needed.

Dr Andrew Crosbie of Elmwood Medical Practice said that the service ultimately leads to better care by allowing for better communication between GPs and hospitals.

Priscilla Lynch, HSE manager for Cork South and West said that “supporting GPs and paramedics to find alternative ways to access care for their patients is paying dividends”.