Roscommon Injury Unit Marks 15 Years of Delivering Urgent Care Close to Home

This year marks an important milestone for Roscommon Injury Unit as it celebrates 15 years of providing accessible, high-quality care to patients across Roscommon and the wider region.

Since opening in July 2011, the Injury Unit has provided an important local alternative to Emergency Departments for people with non-life-threatening and non-limb-threatening injuries, helping patients receive timely assessment and treatment closer to home.

From July 2011 to the end of June 2026, the unit has treated more than 138,000 patients, adults and children over five years of age, for injuries such as sprains and strains, suspected fractures of the arms and legs, burns, wounds and lacerations. Providing this care locally has helped reduce travel times for patients and supported acute hospitals across the region by providing an alternative pathway for appropriate care.

The development of Roscommon Injury Unit reflects the ongoing evolution of urgent and unscheduled care services across the region. Since opening in 2011, the unit has developed into a modern, nurse-led service, with advanced clinical expertise and diagnostic facilities supporting the delivery of safe, effective care for patients in the community.

When the unit first opened, care was delivered by Emergency Department nurses supported by surgical doctors. Today, the service is led by seven Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) and one Candidate Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Emergency Nursing, working alongside Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors, Clinical Nurse Managers, Nurses, Radiographers and the wider multidisciplinary team.

Through advanced clinical training, an expanded scope of practice and increased autonomy in decision-making, the ANPs provide timely assessment, diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of minor injuries. Supported by on-site X-ray facilities and integrated care pathways, the unit enables many injuries to be managed locally. Where specialist care is required, patients can be referred directly to services including Orthopaedics, Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. This model supports access to high-quality care closer to home while helping to reduce pressure on Emergency Departments.

As Roscommon Injury Unit celebrates its 15th anniversary, the team also marks the retirement of Maggie Mew, the unit's first Advanced Nurse Practitioner, who retired on 22 July following a distinguished nursing career spanning 51 years, including more than two decades at Roscommon University Hospital. Maggie began working in the Emergency Department at Roscommon University Hospital in 2002 before becoming the first Advanced Nurse Practitioner appointed to the Injury Unit in 2016. Her clinical expertise, leadership and dedication have played a significant role in shaping the nurse-led service, and she leaves behind a lasting legacy of excellence in patient care.

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD said: “The 15th anniversary of Roscommon Injury Unit is an important milestone and an opportunity to recognise the important contribution the unit has made by providing timely, high-quality urgent care for people in Roscommon and the wider region.

I was delighted to meet Maggie Mew and thank her personally for her exceptional contribution to emergency nursing. Her clinical leadership, professionalism and commitment to patient care have been instrumental in developing Roscommon Injury Unit into the excellent nurse-led service it is today. As she retires, I wish her every happiness and thank her for the lasting legacy she leaves for colleagues, patients and the wider health service.

“Injury Units play a vital role in delivering urgent care in the community, providing timely treatment for minor injuries, improving the patient experience and supporting our Emergency Departments by ensuring people receive care in the most appropriate setting.”

Hospital Manager Maire Doorly said: "The 15th anniversary of Roscommon Injury Unit provides an opportunity to recognise the dedication and professionalism of all staff, past and present, who have contributed to the success of the service.

"Over the past 15 years, we have seen tremendous growth in both the number of patients attending the unit and the development of our nurse-led model of care. Most importantly, we have continued to deliver high-quality care close to home for the people of Roscommon and neighbouring counties.

"This milestone also coincides with the retirement of Maggie Mew, our first Advanced Nurse Practitioner appointed to the unit. Maggie's clinical expertise, leadership and commitment to patient care have made a lasting contribution to the development of the service, and we thank her for her many years of dedicated service and wish her every happiness in her retirement.

"Our success reflects the commitment of our staff and the value of providing accessible urgent care close to home for people across the region."