Injuries & wound care

A large share of minor injuries are treated faster and more comfortably in general practice than in an emergency department — provided the injury is genuinely minor. The practice handles wound care, dressings and soft-tissue injury.

What this covers at our Naas clinic

The practice treats minor injury and provides ongoing wound care, including for wounds first treated elsewhere.

• Assessment and cleaning of cuts and lacerations
• Suturing and wound closure where appropriate
• Removal of sutures and staples, including those placed in hospital
• Dressings and ongoing wound review
• Assessment of wound infection
• Minor burns and scalds assessment
• Sprains, strains and soft-tissue injury
• Splinter and foreign body removal
• Tetanus status review and vaccination
• Referral to the emergency department or fracture services where needed

What to expect

1. Phone first

   Phone the practice on 045 850060 rather than calling in. Reception can tell you whether the injury can be dealt with at the practice or needs an emergency department.

2. Assessment

   The wound or injury is examined, cleaned and assessed — including whether there is anything in it and whether structures beneath are involved.

3. Treatment

   Closure, dressing or support as appropriate. Tetanus status is checked and vaccination given if it is due.

4. Review

   Wounds are reviewed on a schedule. You will be told what to watch for and when to come back, and what would warrant earlier contact.

Who this is for

Minor injury care suits injuries that are recent, uncomplicated and not severe.

• Patients with a minor cut, graze or laceration
• Patients needing sutures removed after hospital treatment
• Patients with an ongoing wound needing dressing and review
• Patients with a minor burn or scald
• Patients with a sprain or soft-tissue injury

When to go straight to an emergency department

Some injuries should not be brought to a GP practice first, because the assessment and treatment they need is not available in primary care. Go directly to an emergency department, or call 112 or 999, for heavy bleeding that does not stop with pressure, a suspected broken bone or dislocation, a deep wound to the hand or face, an injury to the eye, a head injury with drowsiness or vomiting, a large or deep burn, or any injury where you are seriously concerned.

If you are unsure, phone the practice on 045 850060 during opening hours and ask. Outside opening hours contact KDoc on 045 848 701. It is always reasonable to check.