The HSE is urging the public to "consider all options" before heading to an emergency department in an Irish hospital as the health crisis worsens.
In a statement issued this evening they said that the country's hospitals are facing "one of the busiest periods ever" in the health service's history. They have warned that urgent patients will, as always, be prioritised and anyone else will face extremely long waiting times.
A trio of viruses, Covid-19, influenza and RSV, are on the increase. The HSE are warning that they expect the record number of patients in hospitals - 931 people were waiting for a bed this morning - to stay that way for a number of weeks.
Read more: Irish hospitals in 'endless cycle of crisis' with dangerous waiting times
They warned: "While this surge of winter virus infections was predicted and planned for, the trends being seen are following the more pessimistic of predicted models, and also appear to be increasing earlier than had been hoped." They urged the public to get their latest dose of the flu and Covid-19 vaccines and thanks the HSE staff for their hard work during an extremely difficult period.
Damien McCallion, the HSE’s Chief Operations Officer said: "As expected, Emergency Departments are becoming extremely busy due to the unprecedented combination of very high levels of flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in the community.
"Those who believe they may be seriously ill and require emergency care should of course come to hospital, but we would urge others to consider seeking support from pharmacists, GPs, GP Out of Hours Services and Minor Injury Units. These services have emergency responses in place for patients presenting with respiratory and other urgent health issues.”
Other health service options available include:
Community Pharmacies
You can visit your local pharmacy if you feel unwell. Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals. They can give you medicines you can buy without a prescription, medicines you have a prescription for, advice on minor illnesses, and can tell you if you need to see a GP.
GPs and GP Out-of-Hours Services
GPs are running additional clinics during this time of high pressure. If you urgently need to see a GP outside their clinic hours, you can contact your local GP out-of-hours service.
Minor Injury Units
Injury units treat injuries that are not life-threatening. For example, broken bones, dislocations and burns. You do not need an appointment. There are 11 HSE Injury Unit Locations, you can find one close to you on the HSE website.
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