Page 357 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

PR A C TIC AL INFORM A TION  355

In an Emergency Hospitals and
Pharmacies
In the Republic and Northern
Ireland, the emergency phone Residents of countries in the
number for Police, Ambulance European Union, the European
or Fire Brigade is 999 or 112 Economic Area and Switzerland
from a mobile, which should can claim free medical
only be used if really necessary. treatment in Ireland with a
In a medical emergency which European Health Insurance Card
does not require an ambulance, (EHIC) (see below). Cards can be
you should visit a general applied for online, are free of
practitioner (GP) or the out­ charge and are valid for five
patients, accident and emergency years. Also, be sure to let the
or casualty department of the doctor know that you want
nearest public hospital. In the treatment under the EU’s social
Republic, if you are not referred security regulations. In Northern
to the hospital by a GP you Ireland, British citi zens need Small rural health centre in
may be asked to pay a fee of no documentation. County Donegal
about €100. Non­EU travellers should
If you find yourself in difficulties, either have their own travel insurance com pany for medical
with no money, or unwell and insurance or be prepared to care abroad. They may have
not speaking the language, pay up front for treatment. to pay first and reclaim costs
call the nearest police station A wide range of medical later; if so, be sure to get an
for practical advice. Tourist supplies is available over the itemized bill.
offices will also be able to help. counter at pharmacies. However,
Public hospitals are used to many medicines are available DIRECTORY
providing translation for only with a prescription author­
patients of many nationalities. ized by a local doctor. If you are Useful Addresses
The Irish Tourist Assistance likely to require specialized Police, Fire, Ambulance and
Service (ITAS) provides practical drugs during your stay, ensure Coastguard Services
assistance to victims of crime, you bring your own supplies Tel Dial 999 or 112 in both the
and can liaise with embassies, and a copy of the original pres­ Republic and Northern Ireland.
organize money transfers and cription. You can also ask your
cancel credit cards. doctor to write a letter with the Police Exchange
generic name of the For non­emergency police
medicine you require. assistance in Northern Ireland.
Always obtain a receipt Tel 028 9065 0222.
for insurance claims. Beaumont Hospital
Beaumont Road, Dublin 9.
Travel and Tel 01 809 3000.
Health Insurance City Hospital
Before travelling, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7AB.
make sure that your (also emergency dental
possessions are treatment).
Dublin ambulance insured; it might be Tel 028 9032 9241.
difficult and more Dublin Dental Hospital
expensive to get Lincoln Place, Dublin 2.
insurance in Ireland. Tel 01 612 7200.
It is also worth noting
that travel insurance European Health
for the UK may not Insurance Card
cover you in the ∑ ehic.org
Republic, so make Hickey’s Pharmacy
Dublin fire engine sure you have an 55 Lr O’Connell St, Dublin 1.
adequate policy. Tel 01 873 0427.
Private health
insurance policies Irish Tourist
may include a certain Assistance Service
level of travel cover­ 6­7 Hanover St East, Dublin 2.
age. US visitors Tel 1 890 365 700.
espe cially should Royal Victoria Hospital
check before leaving Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12
home whether they 6BA. Tel 028 9024 0503.
Garda patrol car are cov ered by their

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