The Irish health service can feel like a maze. GP, pharmacy, urgent care clinic, A&E, public, private, medical card, Drugs Payment Scheme. Most of us only learn how it works when we already need it, which is the worst time to learn.

This lesson is the calm version. You'll map out who's on your healthcare team, get a sense of what you might be entitled to (and where to check), and put together a simple plan for your next appointment.

To start, think about this: the last time you needed health advice, where did you go first? Was it the right place, or did you end up sent somewhere else?

Four short definitions to get you grounded. You'll come back to all of these in the activity.

One more useful term before you start. The Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) caps what any household pays for prescribed medicines each month. If you don't have a medical card, this scheme is worth knowing about. You apply once through the HSE, and from then on you never pay more than the monthly cap for your family's prescriptions.

A note on eligibility. This lesson can't tell you whether you personally qualify for any scheme. Income limits change, and your circumstances matter. Throughout the lesson we point you to the HSE's eligibility checker on hse.ie, HSE Live on 1800 700 700, or your local Citizens Information centre. Those are the places that can give you a real answer.

This activity has three parts. First, a quick walk-through of the Irish healthcare system so you know what each level of care is for. Then a look at the main entitlements you might qualify for. Finally, you'll map your own healthcare team and prepare for a real or upcoming appointment.

Take your time. Nothing here is stored anywhere unless you choose to download a copy at the end.

Two prompts to consider. You don't need to type anything. Sit with these for a moment, or talk them through with someone you trust.

If you want to keep going, here are three options. Pick whichever feels most useful right now.

• Patient rights, in detail. Look up the HSE's National Healthcare Charter, sometimes called 'You and Your Health Service'. It sets out exactly what you can expect from any HSE service: respect, safety, communication, privacy, participation in your care, and a clear complaints route.
• Making a complaint, if you ever need to. Every HSE service has a feedback and complaints process called 'Your Service Your Say'. If you're unhappy with how a complaint is handled, you can take it to the Office of the Ombudsman. Knowing the route in advance makes it less daunting if you ever need to use it.
• Citizens Information. Your local Citizens Information centre offers free, confidential help with health entitlements, forms, and appeals. They can sit down with you and tell you, in plain English, what you may qualify for and how to apply. There's also a phone service if travelling is difficult.