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Original poster

Where to go to get stitches out in Ireland?

33 replies

spacechimp · 30/06/2016 05:10

Stupidly slipped over in the shower yesterday and cut the underside of my chin. I now have 5 stitches. I was advised at the hospital to get them removed next week, but I'm going to Ireland on holiday on Saturday, so will need to get it done there. Asked if I could wait until I got back and the dr said no, as risk of infection and/or scarring. I'll be in Cork in a weeks time and just wondering how to get this done and what the options are. I'm not sure if there are walk in clinics etc, and whether my EHIC will be enough to cover the cost. Any advice gratefully received

OP posts:
LilySnape · 30/06/2016 05:16

Go to a hospital there it will be covered by your travel insurance

Onynx · 30/06/2016 05:21

Spacechimp what part of Cork will you be in? Generally speaking I wouldn't recommend going to any of the city hospitals as you would have to go through A&E & the waiting times are horrific. There is a walk-in VHI clinic near Mahon Point which you would have to pay for but you would not be waiting.

user1465823522 · 30/06/2016 06:01

check your travel insurance pays for pre existing injuries before you assume it's covered - healthcare is nto free in Ireland and you could pay a lot of money to get a simple thing done.

Original poster
spacechimp · 30/06/2016 09:52

Thanks Onyx, we are staying in a B&B in the city centre but will have a hire car so should be able to get to the clinic. Happy to pay. Do you that that would be the best option?

OP posts:
user1465823522 · 30/06/2016 11:00

Last time i went to a GP in the south it was 60e - not sure what it would be for removing stitches - maybe phone ahead and check?

bumpertobumper · 30/06/2016 11:09

Your ehic should cover you, for now!
Try going to a GP, costs €50, the bnb people might be able to suggest one.

BiddyPop · 30/06/2016 11:14

Some GPs have a nurse, which wouldn't cost as much as the GP itself - so the B&B people may be best placed to advise on local options.

DramaAlpaca · 30/06/2016 11:20

The clinic at Mahon sounds like a good option, otherwise like others have suggested ask the B&B owners to recommend a local GP surgery which has a nurse. They can usually fit you in quickly, at least ours does.

timelytess · 30/06/2016 11:22

MN is amazing for some things!

littlewoollypervert · 30/06/2016 11:24

Some A&E's have wound care appointments (St Michael's in Dun Laoghaire) - google a few hospitals in Cork and see if any provide this, and give them a ring.

(I had to go every morning for dressings for a month and all my appointments were at 8 to 8.15 am). Very quiet time so was always in and out in 15 mins.

littlewoollypervert · 30/06/2016 11:24

Oh and if you can't find out beforehand, a local pharmacy is a good source of info too - call in to any around where you are staying.

Fuckoffdailymailnobs · 30/06/2016 11:35

Attendance at minors or a and e was 150e last time I checked.I think ehic only covers the equivalent costs that the country you are in covers I.e you would have to pay the 150e. My aunt visiting from the state's attended minors earlier this year while visiting and the bill has yet to arrive (but my mother used to run the department so.....)

Onynx · 30/06/2016 11:47

I do think the VHI clinic or similar would be an option, not all GPs here have nurses so wouldn't deal with stitches. There is also an Express Medical Walk in Clinic in the Mills in Douglas. That would be another option and definitely less expensive than VHI but it might be worth calling ahead to see if they can remove stitches. They will be able to point you in the right direction if not. www.expressmedical.ie. Douglas is about a 15 min drive from the city centre or there are two buses which pass the door of the centre. Hope that helps!

welshweasel · 30/06/2016 13:22

Take them out yourself? Pair of tweezers and some nail scissors. Would save an awful lot of hassle. Use tweezers to pull stitch away from the skin and snip the stitch on one side between the knot and the skin, then pull the stitch out. You might have to get someone to do it for you depending on where they are exactly. Honestly it's really easy.

Imnotaslimjim · 30/06/2016 13:28

I was coming to suggest the same as welshweasel as long as you can see that the wound is well healed I'd consider removing it myself. Nail scissors are the best, the little curce keeps the blade away from your skin

user1467101855 · 30/06/2016 13:34

I don't know why people are telling you to go to a random GP, because, just the same as in the UK, you need to be registered with a GP before you can avail of their services. And they generally will only register patients with a permanent address in their area.
A GP might see you, but I certainly wouldn't be turning up and betting on it.

MamMamMam · 30/06/2016 13:34

Any nurse at a GPS surgery should do it. Usually costs between €45- €55.

If you have your NHS medical card number ( you should get it from your gp) they will do it for free and bill the NHS accordingly

MamMamMam · 30/06/2016 13:35

I ran out of the pill once and got it for free using my NHS number while in ireland

Imnotaslimjim · 30/06/2016 13:57

user1467101855 I'd love to know where you got your info from but you're not right

Any GP will see a patient as an emergency or one-off if you're away from home. NHS advice page When my MIL's mother fell ill she was 40 mile from home, MiL's dr made 3 house calls to keep an eye on her, even though she wasn't registered. So the advice people giving is correct.

user1467101855 · 30/06/2016 14:01

In an emergency. Not for a forseeable routine thing like this. So, no, I'm not wrong at all, you are.

Imnotaslimjim · 30/06/2016 14:15

Of course they would. She would likely have to pre-book an appointment and would see the nurse rather than the GP (which is what most people have suggested)

What do you propose she does, cancel her holiday because of a couple of stitches?

user1467101855 · 30/06/2016 14:18

No, I'm just telling you the facts that you can't just turn up at any dr's in a foreign country and expect to have someone take your stitches out.

Isn't that rather obvious?

Imnotaslimjim · 30/06/2016 14:20

When did I suggest she "just turned up"

You're just being goady. As usual

user1467101855 · 30/06/2016 14:21

There are other people on the thread, not just you.

And "as usual"? Hmm

nutmegthespringerspaniel · 30/06/2016 15:38

If you can be bothered registering for the site, you might get an informed answer if you ask on

www.boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=392

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