OBJECTIVES Information on the pattern of health services use by HIV patients is required to effectively plan services, particularly in light of increasing non-infectious chronic diseases in this population. This study examined the use of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department (ED) services by HIV positive patients who attended Cork University Hospital (CUH) for HIV care in 2012. METHODS All public HIV patients who attended CUH for inpatient or outpatient care in 2012 were identified using an existing clinical database. Data on outpatient appointments by speciality (excluding dialysis), ED visits and inpatient episodes were extracted from the hospital information system. Patients with no attendance between Jul-Dec were censored at the month of last visit. RESULTS Data were extracted on 328 patients (3642 patient-months), 1434 outpatient visits (1180 Infectious Disease (ID), 254 other), 100 ED visits (58 patients) and 74 inpatient episodes (51 patients). Patients had a median of 3 ID outpatient visits (range 0-12), 26% of patients also attended other outpatient specialties (median 2, range 1-22). On multivariate analysis being more recently diagnosed, and being on ART but not suppressed, or starting/stopping ART in 2012 were associated with increased outpatient ID visits, while age >50 years was associated with fewer outpatient ID visits. Those diagnosed 2003-2007 and 2008-2011 had significantly more outpatient non-ID visits while late diagnosis was associated with fewer non-ID visits. Use of ED services was positively associated with unknown risk factor and being diagnosed in 2012. Use of inpatient services was positively associated with diagnosis in 2012 and negatively associated with a minimum CD4 count ≥350 cells/μl. CONCLUSIONS These data provide baseline information on the utilisation rates of ID and other specialities by HIV positive patients. Such data are useful for identifying factors which could be targeted for quality improvement interventions as well as for estimating future service requirements.