Emergency Department

• Minor Injuries – sprains, strains and wounds
• Fractures
• Back, Hip or Knee Pain
• Abdominal Issues
• Chest Pain
• Gastrointestinal Issues
• Respiratory Issues
• Urology Issues

• Paediatrics (Under 16’s)
• Stroke
• Ear, Nose and Throat Emergencies
• Eye Emergencies
• Gynaecology Emergencies
• Pregnancy related issues
• Dermatology Issues
• Mental Illness
• Neurological Issues
• Dental Care

Non-emergency Gynaecology, Plastics and Ear Nose & Throat Issues can be referred to our Outpatient Departments following assessment at our ED.

Our Emergency Department is located in the main Hospital on Level 2.

On arrival, please register with a staff member at the ED reception desk. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Triage is an assessment by a specially trained emergency nurse to determine the clinical urgency of your presentation. A member of the triage nursing team will assess all patients to identify clinical priority. We will try our best to triage all patients within 30 minutes of arrival.

The triage nurse will inform you of the hospital’s current bed status. Please do not eat or drink until triage has been completed. You may be asked to provide a urine sample at this point.

Our triage team will initiate investigations when space/triage protocol allows. These investigations may include: ECG (electrocardiogram), Blood Tests, Urine Tests or Blood Glucose Testing.

Our ED Doctors will assess you and decide what tests and / or investigations are required. This may include further blood and / or radiology tests.

Blood test results are usually available within 60-120 minutes.

The written Radiologist report can take anything between 90 minutes to 3 hours because the images must be read by a specialist to interpret the results. Radiology images include X-ray, Doppler/ Ultrasound, CT or MRI. Please note CT, MRI & Ultrasound scans may need to be scheduled as an outpatient. Doppler scans are not available after 4pm or at weekends.

You will be reviewed by an ED Doctor when all the test results and reports are available.

Your Doctor will make the decision on whether admission to an inpatient ward is required.

If admission is required, the nurse in charge will liaise with the Bed Manager in order to check bed availability. Please note that private rooms are allocated on a case of clinical priority regardless of insurance cover.

If you are being discharged, Nursing staff will provide you with written discharge instructions. An ED discharge Letter will be sent to your GP. If you require a follow up appointment this will be arranged for you. A referral letter will be sent within 48-72 hours and a secretary will endeavour to contact you ASAP with your appointment.

Yes, you may have to wait upon arrival at ED. A member of the triage nursing team will then assess you to identify clinical priority.

Our triage system helps us to minimise wait times, however we cannot predict precise wait times as these constantly change based on how busy the department is and the needs of patients. All decisions are based on clinical need.

Same Day Discharge

The minimum fee for the Emergency Department is €250 for patients who are discharged that same day.

The maximum fee for the ED is capped at €695. This fee includes certain tests, treatments or items required such as X-rays, CT Scans, MRls, blood tests, crutches, walking boots or braces, or splints.

Please note that additional charges may apply for less common tests or consultations with other specialists such as Consultants or Physiotherapists. Your ED admin team will be able to advise you of any costs prior to examination or treatment.

If a Covid test is required, this is included in the capped fee. If you are admitted to inpatient care, the cost of the Covid test is billable to your health insurance provider.

Admission to the Hospital

Patients who are admitted to the hospital will incur a €250 Emergency Department admission fee.

Please note patients are also liable for any excess or shortfall on their own health insurance plan.

Yes. As the hospital is independent of your GP Practice, the ED fees will apply whether your GP refers you or you are a self-referral.

Yes. Many patients chose to self-pay to get access to medical care and tests quickly. If you attend the ED emergency rooms the following fees apply:

Same Day Discharge

The minimum fee for the Emergency Department is €250 for patients who are discharged that same day.

The maximum fee for the ED is capped at €695. This fee includes certain tests, treatments or items required such as X-rays, CT Scans, MRls, blood tests, crutches, walking boots or braces, or splints.

Please note that additional charges may apply for less common tests or consultations with other specialists such as Consultants or Physiotherapists. Your ED admin team will be able to advise you of any costs prior to examination or treatment.

If a Covid test is required, this is included in the capped fee. If you are admitted to inpatient care, the cost of the Covid test is billable to your health insurance provider.

You will be asked to pay upfront fees on arrival at the ED. If you are admitted to the hospital emergency rooms, you will be charged the first two nights in advance of your admission. If you are discharged after only one night, you will be refunded the second night’s fee. 

Please note that if you are admitted, additional charges may apply where tests or referrals to other Consultants are necessary. Please talk to admin team who will be best placed to advise you of possible charges.

Admission to the Hospital

If you are admitted to the hospital emergency rooms as a self-pay patient, you will be charged the first two nights plus the ED cap fee of €695 in advance of your admission.

Please note that if you are admitted, additional charges may apply where tests or referrals to other Consultants are necessary. Please talk to our admin team who will be best placed to advise you of possible charges.

For more information on self-pay patients please click here. 

No. Beacon Hospital is unable to accept children under the age of 16 years to the Emergency Department. If your child requires medical attention, please take them to your GP or your nearest paediatric hospital’s Emergency Department. If your child requires urgent attention, please dial emergency services.

No. Beacon Hospital’s Emergency Department is not equipped to treat expectant mothers. If you require medical attention, please report to the Emergency Department in your nearest Maternity Hospital. If you require urgent attention, please dial emergency services.

No. Patients who are suffering from a stroke are advised to call an emergency ambulance immediately. Symptoms of stroke are FAST.

This means:

• F – Face- Facial weakness. Can the patient smile? Is their mouth or eye drooping?
• A – Arms – Arm Weakness. Can the patient raise both arms?
• S – Speech Problems. Can the patient speak properly and understand what you say?
• T –  Time. Time to Call 112 or 999 if any of the above symptoms are apparent.

Click for more information on the Irish Heart Foundation’s FAST stroke campaign.

No, Beacon Hospital is not in a position to treat psychiatric emergencies. Click for further information on where to look for help in the case of a psychiatric emergency.

No, the national ambulance service will bring you to your nearest on-duty public Accident & Emergency Department. An emergency services ambulance will never bring you to a private Emergency Department regardless of private health insurance.

While we always do our best to accommodate all patients requiring admission, we cannot guarantee that beds will always be available. This is due to the nature of healthcare. All decisions around beds will be made based on clinical need.

While we will do our best to ensure that all required tests are carried out on the day of presentation, some tests may be carried out in the outpatient setting in the days following your initial visit.

Patients attending the ED will be treated for their symptoms on the day but may also be required to attend further appointments for testing or with a specialist on a later date , where required to provide further diagnosis and treatment of the condition.