The Minor Injury Unit at Roscommon Hospital is the perfect example of how the system can take pressure off busy Emergency Departments.
That's according to a Longford man who attended the unit following a fall and ankle injury in recent weeks.
The facilities have been opened in Roscommon and Mullingar over the last year, with staff reporting increasing use over the last number of months.
The Injury Units treat suspected broken bones, sprains, cuts, burns, scalds and other similar non-life threatening ailments, with the HSE urging patients with similar injuries to attend the units.
Local TD Marian Harkin last week called for the Minor Injury Units to be opened 24 hours in order to relieve further pressure on local Emergency Departments.
Speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show this morning, John says he was assessed, treated and discharged in under two hours:
'I had the x-ray and i was back to see the doctor again.
He came out and brought me into the cubicle and he showed me the x-rays.
He suggested one of those protective boots and the girl there fitted it for me.
He suggested pain killers and that sort of thing and told me to wear the boot when I was walking.
I'd say, all in all, I was out in less than two hours.'
