Advice from the HSE about GP Out of Hours Services over Holidays and Attending Emergency Departments this Winter
With the Christmas and New Year holidays almost upon us it’s always best to be prepared. This year, the HSE in partnership with GP Out of Hours Services, are asking people to prepare ahead for a healthy and happy Christmas and New Year.
Plan ahead this Christmas – Advice from the HSE about GP Out of Hours Services
With the Christmas and New Year holidays almost upon us it’s always best to be prepared. This year, the HSE in partnership with GP Out of Hours Services, are asking people to prepare ahead for a healthy and happy Christmas and New Year.
To avoid interruptions to the festivities, it’s important for people to plan in advance for any anticipated medical needs over the holiday period such as prescription renewals. There are lots of things to think about at this time of year and medication needs can often get overlooked. The HSE is reminding patients to reflect on what is needed and to make the necessary arrangements with your GP practice and pharmacist and not to leave it to the last minute.
Brian Murphy, Head of Planning, HSE Primary Care Division says: “We want to remind people to be prepared this Christmas by renewing prescriptions early and to book GP appointments for routine visits during normal clinic hours. As the Christmas holidays are the busiest times for the GP Out of Hours Services, we are asking people to reserve this service for people with urgent medical problems only.
As part of the 2017 Christmas period campaign, posters with up to date Christmas and New Year opening hours for each of the GP Out of Hours Services will be displayed locally. Our social media campaign is also helping to prompt people to prepare ahead of the holidays and to reserve the GP Out of Hours Services for those with urgent medical conditions.
We have also set up a ‘Stay Well this Christmas’ webpage on the HSE site at www.hse.ie/winter to provide information and advice on keeping well over the holiday period.
I would urge everyone to take the time to prepare in advance, to use the GP Out of Hours Services for urgent medical problems only, and to take measures to stay well this Christmas and New Year; I wish everyone a healthy and safe Christmas and New Year.”
Easy Ways to Plan Ahead this Christmas
- Book an appointment at your own GP surgery for routine matters – as most GP surgeries will be closed on 23rd December, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
- If you have a medical condition that requires medication, ensure you order sufficient supplies to cover the whole holiday and any trips away you have planned.
- Stock up on home medicine cabinet essentials at your local pharmacy; painkillers- including painkillers for kids, indigestion remedies, cough and cold medicines, plasters, bandages, antiseptic cream, thermometer, contraceptives and a minor injury first aid kit are all sensible items to have to hand.
- For common ailments like coughs, colds and sore throats, you’ll find straightforward advice on www.undertheweather.ie
GP Out of Hours Service
The GP Out of Hours service is available outside the routine GP surgery times over the holidays including the bank holidays and weekends. This service is for patients who have urgent medical problems that cannot wait until their own GP practice re-opens. We would encourage people to visit www.hse.ie/winter where they can find:
- straightforward advice on how to get through common illnesses without antibiotics www.undertheweather.ie ;
- how to contact a GP OOH Service;
- where Minor Injury Units are located;
- how to contact the HSE Information Line – HSELive;
- and tips on quitting smoking and getting physically active.
The www.undertheweather.ie website was developed by the HSE in partnership with GPs and pharmacists. It gives sensible, practical information on a range of common illnesses like colds, flu, earaches, sore throats and tummy bugs. The information is provided for adults and children and tells you how long an illness should last, what to expect, and what you can do to cope with, and recover from, these illnesses. The site includes a series of videos featuring GPs and Pharmacists who offer their expertise on dealing with these common illnesses, practical remedies, and advice on when to seek help from either a pharmacist or a doctor.
Advice for Patients Attending Emergency Departments this Winter
Just like in previous years, our Emergency Departments (EDs) expect to see more patients attending this winter. Many of these patients will have complicated illnesses and complex care-needs. This means that the number of patients who need to be admitted to hospital for treatment and care will increase. While this is likely to increase the waiting times in EDs, we can reassure the public that all patients attending an ED will be seen and, as always, the sickest patients and those requiring urgent treatment and care will be prioritised and seen first.
Flu-like illness and other respiratory infections are very common at this time of year. Most are caused by viruses and these illnesses have a greater impact on older people; those who have underlying illnesses such as COPD, diabetes and heart disease or those with compromised immune systems. It is much harder for them to cope with the complications of these illnesses. Many will need GP care and some may be referred into our hospitals for specialist treatment and care.
As we prioritise treatment and care for the sickest patients and those with life threatening illnesses, it means that patients with less serious illnesses and conditions may need to wait longer for their treatment. That is why we are asking people to think about all of their care and treatment options so we can keep our ED services for the patients who need them most. For example, many patients with limb injuries can go to an Injury Unit and others with illnesses needing less urgent treatment can be seen and treated by their GP or referred by their GP to an Assessment Unit the following day. On the other hand if you are seriously injured or ill or are worried that your life is at risk, you can be assured that our EDs are open 24/7, 365 days of the year and will assess and treat you as a priority.
EDs are very busy places. If you or a family member or friend needs to go to the ED for treatment there are some things you can do to help us to help take care of you in the ED.
- Remember to bring your GPs name and address along with any referral letter they may have given you for the ED.
- It is particularly important that you bring any medications you are taking, as well as a list of any allergies or current medical conditions you might have, as this will help the doctors and nurses to better assess your condition and the treatment you have had to date. It may also shorten your waiting time as staff will know the medications you are taking and will not need to wait to hear back from your GP or pharmacist. Obviously, you may also need to take your medication while you are in the hospital.
- Bring any hearing aids and glasses you need and if you have difficulties speaking or with language, please bring someone with you who can help us communicate with you. We can arrange an interpreter if needs be but this will take time to arrange.
- Keeping our hands clean reduces the spread of infection. So by keeping your hands clean when you come to or are in the ED, you can help protect us all from infection. Infection control is really important throughout the whole hospital and, unfortunately, infection outbreaks mean greater risks to our patients, especially those more vulnerable to infection. It may also mean that we have to close hospital wards and beds until they are thoroughly deep cleaned to stop the spread of infection. This can take a lot of time depending on the type of bacteria and unfortunately reduces the number of beds available for patients coming in for care. This in turn means longer waiting times before patients can be admitted to hospital.
- About 15 out of 20 people attending the ED go home after having tests or treatment in the ED. Part of our job is to make sure we answer your questions and give you clear information while you are in our care. Before you leave, please ask yourself if you understand your condition and the treatment you have been given, whether you know the next steps or know what to look out for. If you have a follow up appointment, do you know the details?
Our staff in the Emergency Department work really hard to make sure our patients receive the best treatment and care. If for any reason you are worried or concerned while you are in the ED please ask our staff for help and advice and help us to help you.
For contact details and more information on HSE Acute Hospitals see hse.ie.
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Issued by HSE National Press Office
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Note to editors:
ED consultants available for interview. Please contact Mary Gleeson in National Press Office to arrange.