In an Irish border town. Might be sick. So go north or south for help?

March 17, 2020 1:45 PM

So I'm staying in an Irish border town for a month. Nearest hospitals are equally far away in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. Having chest problems that aren't super serious yet. But I might have COVID. I also have travel insurance. Which is the better way to go IF I feel like I need to be treated and/or tested?
posted by rileyray3000 to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

You're supposed to call the emergency coronavirus line, not just show up at a hospital or GP office. They will come to you.

In an absolute emergency I'd head north overall, given equal cost. They have better resources typically.
posted by fshgrl at 1:51 PM on March 17, 2020 [3 favorites]

Dunno about NI itself, but the South seems to be taking things a bit more seriously than the UK as a whole at the moment. (See the speech Leo Varadkar just gave for example).
posted by scorbet at 2:26 PM on March 17, 2020

Looking at the two health services, the NHS (UK) basically says stay at home, and only call someone if you can’t cope. The HSE (Ireland) says to call a GP as soon as you have symptoms and they’ll decide if you need a test or not.

As far as I know (according to my mother, a retired nurse) COVID-19 is a reportable disease in the South. So your choice may also be impacted by which side of the border you are actually on.
posted by scorbet at 2:52 PM on March 17, 2020

Response by poster: Is the emergency coronavirus line a Northern Ireland thing or a Republic of Ireland thing?
posted by rileyray3000 at 2:54 PM on March 17, 2020

UK so Northern Irish - it’s at the NHS link above. The Republic says ring a GP.
posted by scorbet at 3:02 PM on March 17, 2020

Dial 111.

Where are you actually? You say 'equal distance away from both' but what does it say on the address?

The number to call if you're in the UK (Northern Ireland is in the UK) is 111 (N.I. started using that number from Feb 2020). Dial that number now. Best of luck.
posted by ihaveyourfoot at 3:41 PM on March 17, 2020

Response by poster: I'm about equal distance between the towns of Omeath in Republic of Ireland and Newry in Northern Ireland.
posted by rileyray3000 at 1:38 AM on March 18, 2020

But are you north of the border or south. From looking at Google Maps, equally distant between Omeath and Newry would probably put you in the North. If so, ring 111. If not, then you will have to find a GP in the South. There’s a number for GP services in Omeath here. From what I’ve seen, you don’t need to be registered with them to be seen. Though there be issues on both sides if you’re a non-permanent resident.
posted by scorbet at 6:24 AM on March 18, 2020

Before you dial and tie up the phone line, CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS against the official (NOT FB, Twitter) advice. If they line up as indicating potential coronavirus infection, go ahead. If they don't, but you feel the need to get emergency treatment, go ahead and ring the emergency medical line there but don't mention the virus just describe your symptoms as accurately as you can. Wishing you all the best!!
posted by GeeEmm at 3:12 PM on March 18, 2020

I'm from County Down, though I'm currently living in London.

If you are in Northern Ireland, you should go on the NHS 111 website - https://111.nhs.uk/

The 111 phone number is under severe strain right now, but the website will get you the same assistance.
posted by knapah at 5:29 PM on March 18, 2020