Healthcare and Medical Insurance in Ireland
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All visitors to Ireland who are not EU residents should ensure that they have adequate traveller's medical
insurance. A good policy will cover the holder with emergency coverage in case
of the onset of a new illness that requires immediate medical attention or injury,
and even provide emergency dental care in case of accidental injury to the teeth.
With some policies repatriation to the traveller's place of origin, or the costs
incurred for a family member from home to travel to aid the traveller who is
sick or injured are also covered.
For citizens of European Union countries and certain other ones that have reciprocal
agreements with Ireland emergency medical treatment is provided free of charge
(albeit in return for something of a bureacratic paper trail). However this
is not the case with all countries and the necessity of adequate medical insurance
coverage cannot be over-emphasised.
For those suffering from pre-existing conditions it is important to check with
the insurance provider as to the terms of their policy, as in many cases these
are not covered if the illness reoccurs while on vacation.
Healthcare in Ireland is of a high quality. Physicians and registered medical
professionals undergo training of a high standard similar to that in the U.K.
State of the art diagnostics and treatment are available in most cases, and
when deemed necessary by a licensed physician.
For travellers staying in accommodations the establishment will provide information
on local doctors and hospitals. If staying with friends or relatives and taken
ill, the usual procedure is to be cared for by their family doctor. In case
of a serious emergency it is best to go straight to the Casualty (Emergency)
Department of the nearest hospital with facilities.
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