On staycation in ROI, may need to see GP

[KayakingOnDown]

I am from NI but on a two-week staycation south of the border. We arrived yesterday. I've had a sore ear for several days and it's getting worse. Almost certainly an ear infection but I don't know if I can just self-medicate as the pain is getting worse. I goer ear drops from a pharmacy two days ago but they don't appear to be working.

Does anyone know how I'd go about speaking to a doctor (I guess seeing one is out of the question) as an NI-resident staying in ROI? I have an E-111 card with me, but I'm not sure how things stand due to Brexit.

No idea about medical care.

Just wanted to know how it's a staycation in another country?

@MrsTerryPratchett

No idea about medical care.

Just wanted to know how it's a staycation in another country?

That's a whole political can of worms!

The E111 is valid until 31st December, I don’t know if you pay for the doctors visit and get free medication- ask the local chemist, they will be able to point you in the right direction.

It's often the same country, depending on who you ask.

For out of hours care, you need to look up the Health service executive to see what health board area you are currently under. Depends on the county you are in, www2.hse.ie/services/find-a-gp-out-of-hours/#!#Oout%20of%20hours

Cost wise www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/health_services/gp_and_hospital_services/gps_and_private_patients.html#l6e733

If you decide to see a GP and can make an appointment, see costs and if you turn up to a+e, ditto. If you are anywhere in the border areas, I would recommend contacting the gp out of hours in the NI side of that area where you can be seen as a temporary patient

@MrsTerryPratchett

No idea about medical care.

Just wanted to know how it's a staycation in another country?

🤐

@MrsTerryPratchett

No idea about medical care.

Just wanted to know how it's a staycation in another country?

Wow. Don’t visit the Island of Ireland FGS.

Yes check up the out of hours doctor service, via hse website. Where I live you get seen quicker out of hours, if I ring Gp for an appointment they will say wait till after hours service (which is located in hospital in our nearest big town) or wait a week to get appointment (with our village doctor). Your better to do something on Sunday rather than trying to find a local doctor Monday

You poor thing,KayakingOnDown.
If you are not staying somewhere there is a receptionist I would go to the local pharmacy first thing. If there is no pharmacy try the local shop who will know of the local out of hours doctor service.
Earache is awful.

Pharmacy opening times in Ireland can be problematic. I once had to go ( pre Covid19 ) to 16 different pharmacies in Dublin looking for an urgent item for my elderly uncle on a Sunday evening at 8.45 pm. Many were closed - Even in a very small village suburb with three pharmacies. None open. You would think they would sort out reasonable opening times between them !!!
Eventually, and utterly desperate I got what was needed in O' Connells in Terenure. I wanted to kiss the shop assistant I was so grateful.
It's something the very powerful retail Pharmacy industry should sort out.
I hope you get fixed up OP.

I'm Irish and obviously from NI to the ROI is hardly jetting off to Florida. Can't believe you're being given gip about that when you're suffering with an ear ache. I would go to a big shopping centre. The shopping centre near me has a walk in doctor's surgery. It might be worth googling laya, swift walk in centres.
Agree that walking in to a chemist and asking for the pharmacist's advice is a good idea. They know what doesn't require a prescription and know what might help.

Good luck

You can access healthcare easily in ROI as a UK resident due to the common travel area agreement. You may need to pay (as most ROI residents do) but I think you can claim it back.
@KayakingOnDown If you say what county you are in I can get you the Appropriate out of hours number but you may need to travel to the nearest bigger town to attend. Also pharmacy opening hours are very limited on a Sunday so look for a large tesco with a pharmacy as that might be the only option post lunch time.

Isn’t a staycation where you stay at home and visit places as day trips - in which case @MrsTerryPratchett makes a fair point.
Or have I been using that wiring for ages

Using that wrong that is.

I usually live in the UK but have been based in the Republic of Ireland for all of lockdown.

Seeing a GP was easy. Google local GPS. Ring one up, make an appointment, pay money (ours is €60).

There’s no registration system as there is with the NHS.

OP there may be a walk in GP service near you. I know I have three of them here near me and most pharmacies near me open on Sunday.

I had to go to A&E when I was staying in Donegal (I live in Belfast). They just took my address & doctors details and I didn’t need to pay as they just charge it back to the NHS.

Thanks all, very helpful - I've followed the websites @NotanotherboxofFrogs linked to and found a number and address for a local out-of-hours.
However I'm 30-40 miles from Enniskillen so it might be better to try and get out-of-hours there, I didn't realise you could go as a temporary patient.

I've also googled and found a pharmacy in the biggest and nearest local town which appears to be open.

Having said that, I posted last night when I was in quite severe pain and and unable to sleep. However the pain has eased this morning. It may be sorting itself out. What to do.

And as for the staycation, it's a term I hate actually, but it's hardly a foreign holiday.

I hope you got sorted @KayakingOnDown

Thanks @LadyEloise, I visited a pharmacy yesterday and spoke to the pharmacist. She gave me high-strength Nurofen and said to ring the out-of-hours doctor today at 5pm if I'm still in a lot of pain.

The Nurofen is proving a lot more effective than the paracetamol I was on, so it's manageable, but I'll see how today goes.

That's good to hear that the pain relief is working.