Injury unit to open in Athlone next year

A new injury unit is to open in Athlone next year as a result of funding provided in the Budget.

The move has been welcomed by a number of local politicians.

Deputy Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil TD for Longford/Westmeath said the injury unit would "be a big benefit to the town", while Fine Gael general election candidate for the Roscommon Galway constituency John Naughten said it would help to ease pressure on Portiuncula Hospital’s A&E department.

“This is a welcome move as those with minor injuries will be able to attend this new unit instead of attending the already busy accident and emergency department at Portiuncula Hospital. This will reduce pressure significantly on Portiuncula Hospital," said Naughten.

Injury units can treat: broken bones, sprains and strains, from knees to toes; broken bones, sprains and strains, from collarbone to fingertips; minor facial injuries; minor scalds and burns; wounds, bites, cuts, grazes and scalp lacerations (cuts); small abscesses and boils; splinters and fish hooks; objects stuck in eyes, ears or nose and minor head injuries (fully-conscious patients, who did not have loss of consciousness or vomit after the head injury). Injuries must be less than six-weeks-old.

There are existing injury units at Roscommon hospital and at the Charter Medical Private Hospital in Mullingar.