HSE encouraging the public to consider all healthcare options this January
Attendance at EDs remained relatively high throughout the Christmas period, and GP out of hours services have also been very busy across the counties.
High levels of respiratory illness continue to circulate, and we are seeing increasing numbers of patients attending our EDs and subsequently being admitted due to respiratory symptoms. The levels of respiratory illness are expected to increase (potentially over 3,000 cases in the coming weeks) combined with the reopening of general practice, this will certainly place further pressure on hospitals.
We again urge the public to avail of any other health services if they are unwell, including the GP, injury units, and any other setting which avoids use of emergency departments if it's not clinically necessary or a life threatening episode.
Patients who attend EDs for routine and non -urgent treatment are being advised that they will experience very long waiting times.
The HSE regrets this delay and is asking all to help our staff through a challenging time for our services by:
- Considering all healthcare options before attending ED including Injury Units, GP services and pharmacies
- Dialling 999 or 112 for emergency care if there is concern for serious illness or injury
- Maintaining good hand hygiene practices at all times and in particular when entering and leaving the hospital
- Following all infection control measures when attending healthcare settings, including wearing masks when recommended.
- Visitors to Hospital should not visit if they have any symptoms of flu or COVID-19.
As always if you or someone else is seriously ill or needs urgent emergency care do not delay going to ED or dialling 999/112 for help.
John Joyce, Hospital Manager Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise said, “We have been working very hard to ensure patients who need emergency care are prioritised and that the hospital can respond to the additional pressures associated with respiratory illness at this time of year. Unfortunately, people attending with less serious illness or injury will experience longer waiting times. We are working together with our community partners to ensure that those patients who can be treated in alternative services are seen and avoid hospital admission and that a continuous focus remains on patient flow through our hospitals, with additional senior decision makers on site, using appropriate private hospitals beds, where available and are providing support to ensure patients are discharged home or to other appropriate facilities, once they are clinically fit for discharge. We would ask people to consider all healthcare options at this time including the injury units located in Mullingar, Roscommon and Nenagh. You can visit www.hse.ie/injuryunit if you are unsure of who can attend this service.”
Dr Fionnuala Cooney, Area Director of Public Health, HSE Dublin and Midlands said, “It can be hard to know which virus you have. This is why it is important to stay away from people who are pregnant, elderly or living with an underlying medical condition when you are sick. Even if you don’t feel particularly unwell, what you might experience as a mild illness could cause them to be very sick.
Prevention is always better than cure. So this winter, the advice from Public Health is to;
- Stay home, and don’t have visitors to your home, if you are unwell.
- Keep your child home from school, childcare and their usual activities if they are unwell.
- To help protect you and your loved ones, make sure your winter vaccinations are up-to-date, including the COVID-19 and flu vaccines.
- Make sure your children’s vaccines are up-to-date. And do remember that the flu vaccine for children is given as a nasal spray – so it’s fast and painless.
- Make sure you have all your medications – just in case the weather is bad and you cannot get to the pharmacy.
- Make sure you are warm at home, well hydrated, with plenty of healthy food.
It’s also not too late for anyone who has not yet been vaccinated for flu and COVID to get their vaccine if they're eligible because it will help prevent serious illness and it will help prevent the spread of these illnesses to people who are more vulnerable. You can go to the GP or pharmacy to get your vaccine, check the HSE website for more information and parents are reminded of the nasal spray vaccine now available for all 2-17 year olds.
Dr Cooney continues “As we expect health services to be busy given the rising winter illness such as flu, norovirus, COVID and nasty coughs and colds throughout the winter months. You can help to reduce the spread with good hand hygiene and by staying away from others when you have symptoms. Most people recover from these viruses by treating the symptoms with over the counter-remedies. Antibiotics do not help viruses.
HSE.ie has great sources of help with information on conditions and treatments, details of your nearest services and advice about medications. Your local pharmacy or GP surgery are still your first port of call for general ailments, which are not urgent but remember to always seek medical help if your symptoms are worsening or you become concerned.
In addition to winter viruses, we always see a rise in injuries from slips and falls during icy weather. All of this means that winter is a very busy time for the Health Services, from our Emergency Departments and hospital services to out-of-hours, primary care and community teams, so it’s really important that people know where to go for advice and treatment for different health issues.”
Watch key advice from our Health Experts for your region
- Protect yourself and your loved ones this winter by following this advice from Fiona McGuire, Public Health Specialist Registrar: https://youtu.be/w1-qa8XogRg
- How to stay healthy this winter - advice from Fiona McGuire, Public Health Specialist Registrar: https://youtu.be/dWFy5K6pAkA
Listen to the advice from the Hospital experts to help you keep well and what you can do if you need to attend Hospital
