If you find yourself in need of urgent medical care, you can go directly to an accident and emergency (A&E) unit or call an ambulance if you cannot make your own way there. You can also go to your GP for referral to A&E (at which point you will not have to pay when you get there). Private hospitals tend not to have them at all and cater more to specialised procedures and elective surgery.

If in doubt in an emergency, always call an ambulance. There are two emergency numbers in Ireland – 999 and 112. 112 works from mobile phones, 999 sometimes does not. You will be asked if you need the police, an ambulance or the fire brigade, and for directions to where you are. Give the most complete address that you can and all details that you are asked for, such as your own name and contact number. Only one person can travel in an ambulance with the patient.