Laya to open network of urgent-care clinics with Affidea

Laya Healthcare has announced a strategic tie-up with Affidea, previously Euromedic, to establish a new network of minor-injury clinics in the Republic.

The first of the urgent-care clinics, which will trade under the Express Care brand, will open in Dublin and Cork later this year.

They will offer patients a range of diagnostic imaging services including MRI, ultrasound, X-ray and CT, while treatment will also be available for minor illnesses such as fever, rashes and infections. The walk-in clinics will be open from 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year, with no appointment required for urgent care. They will aim to treat patients within one hour, and will treat young children from 12 months onwards.

Laya said it would reimburse between 50 and 75 per cent of the initial fees across many of its schemes, while other policies would allow a monetary amount to be put towards the outpatient excess.

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“This is welcome news for Laya healthcare members, and for all those with and without health insurance,” Laya managing director Dónal Clancy said.

“We’re thrilled to work with a partner as established as Affidea. They bring world-class experience and the most advanced treatment and technology solutions to urgent healthcare that will benefit our 580,000 members.”

Affidea Ireland chief executive Tom Finn added: "We're delighted to partner with Laya healthcare. From the get-go they demonstrated an ambition to provide an extraordinary patient service in urgent-care centres for minor injuries and illnesses."