HSE urges people to consider healthcare options ahead of bank holiday weekend

The HSE is encouraging the public to be aware of their healthcare options ahead of this bank holiday weekend.

Health staff across hospitals and community services in the West will continue to work together to ensure patient flow and access to services throughout the upcoming weekend.

They have urged people to consider alternative healthcare options, such as injury units and out of hours GP’s, before attending Emergency Departments (EDs). 

John Fitzmaurice, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare West, said: “We would ask everyone to consider all healthcare options over this bank holiday weekend.”

He said out of hours GP services are ‘not a substitute for the Emergency Ambulance Service who are the appropriate service to deal with medical emergencies where they arise’, but are suitable for any minor injuries.

Patients, who attend EDs for routine or non-urgent treatment, may have long waiting times over the coming weekend and into early next week.

Out of Hours GP service, Westdoc will be open for urgent GP appointments. Alternatively, Roscommon Injury Unit is Mayo’s nearest alternative case centre for minor injuries. The Injury Unit is staffed by Doctors, Advanced Nurse Practitioners, and Nurses. It is open every day from 8am-8pm.

Tony Canavan, CEO of Saolta University Health Care Group said, while hospital services in the West are prepared for an increased demand this weekend, he reiterated how ‘Emergency Departments can be very busy over long weekends’. Mr Canavan said the services are working in collaboration to ensure patients are receiving the ‘right care at the right time, in the right place’. 

“Please remember that if you need emergency care we will be there to provide it, but if it is not an emergency please consider all other care options in the first instance,” he concluded.

Additionally, following a rise in measles cases across the UK and Europe, parents are asked to ensure their children are up-to-date with the MMR vaccine.

Dr Áine McNamara, Area Director of Public Health, Department of Public Health HSE West and North West said they are ‘reminding parents of the importance of ensuring children and young people,' are vaccinated.

“Getting vaccinated against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella is vitally important as these conditions can also lead to other serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy,” said McNamara 

Further information about the MMR vaccination is available on the HSE’s immunisation site, while information about the signs and symptoms, treatment and risks of measles can be found on the HSE’s site.