Healthcare in Ireland
In Ireland, there is a wide range of services available to support your physical, mental and psychological health and well-being. These services include advanced medical treatment for many serious conditions.
Health Service Executive (HSE)
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides public health and social services in Ireland including:
The health service is divided into four administrative HSE regions. The HSE West is the service in this region. Healthcare in Ireland is available through both a public and private system. If your income is below a certain level you may qualify for a ‘medical card’. The medical card entitles you to a full range of services. If you are entitled to a medical card you can attend your family doctor, usually called a GP (General Practitioner), for free. Usually, your dependants (husband or wife, and children) will also be entitled to free medical services that include:
However, some of these services may have waiting lists.
If you have any worries about you or your family’s physical or mental health, make an appointment to see your GP. Contacting a GP is the first
Temporary visitors to Ireland from European countries – Free medical treatment.
If you are a visitor to Ireland and have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you can get free treatment at public hospitals for an illness or injury you develop while on a temporary stay here. The card does not cover the cost of repatriation and your illness or accident may mean extra travel and accommodation costs, so you should also have travel insurance. For more information http://ec.europa.eu/
In Ireland, there is a wide range of services available to support your physical, mental and psychological health and well-being. These services include advanced medical treatment for many serious conditions.
Health Service Executive (HSE)
The Health Service Executive (HSE) provides public health and social services in Ireland including:
- hospitals;
- health centres;
- community services for older people;
- family support;
- health and welfare entitlements;
- mental health services; and
- disability services.
The health service is divided into four administrative HSE regions. The HSE West is the service in this region. Healthcare in Ireland is available through both a public and private system. If your income is below a certain level you may qualify for a ‘medical card’. The medical card entitles you to a full range of services. If you are entitled to a medical card you can attend your family doctor, usually called a GP (General Practitioner), for free. Usually, your dependants (husband or wife, and children) will also be entitled to free medical services that include:
- visits to your family doctor;
- hospital services in public hospitals;
- most medicines prescribed by your doctor;
- maternity and infant care;
- dental, optical and aural (hearing and speech) services; and
- medical appliances.
However, some of these services may have waiting lists.
If you have any worries about you or your family’s physical or mental health, make an appointment to see your GP. Contacting a GP is the first
Temporary visitors to Ireland from European countries – Free medical treatment.
If you are a visitor to Ireland and have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) you can get free treatment at public hospitals for an illness or injury you develop while on a temporary stay here. The card does not cover the cost of repatriation and your illness or accident may mean extra travel and accommodation costs, so you should also have travel insurance. For more information http://ec.europa.eu/