Healthcare options over bank holiday weekend

MEMBERS of the public are encouraged to know all available healthcare options ahead of the bank holiday weekend.

Tallaght University Hospital and Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow Community Healthcare are reminding the public of their treatment options before attending the Emergency Department at the hospital.

Lucy Nugent, CEO of Tallaght University Hospital, said: “Similar to many Emergency Departments across the country, our Emergency Department is extremely busy with high numbers of patients attending, many presenting with complex needs requiring admission.

“You can help our staff at this busy time by considering other options for non-emergency care such as Injury Units, Out of Hours GP and pharmacies before attending the Emergency Department.

“This is in order to protect our ED for patients who need urgent and emergency care.”

Ms Nugent added: “Patients who present at the Emergency Department in Tallaght University Hospital with non-urgent conditions may unfortunately experience long wait times to be seen.

“Any patient who needs emergency hospital care will be seen and we would urge such patients not to delay attending the ED.

“Do not delay in seeking medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack or stroke, please dial 999 or 112 in an emergency.”

According to the HSE, there is a range of care pathways available to patients who do not need emergency care.

Visit a pharmacy for advice on common minor illnesses or make an appointment with your GP if feeling unwell and it is not an emergency.

If a GP is needed urgently out of hours, contact the local GP Out of Hours service.

DUBDOC provides out-of-hours urgent GP services in Dublin 2,8,10,12,20 and parts of D6 and West County Dublin. Call 01 4545607.

The TLCDOC is an urgent out-of-hours family doctor operating in the Dublin South-West area. Contact with TLCDOC can only be made by through calling

045 848707.

The service is available to patients of GPs participating in the TLCDOC out-of-hours service.

An Injury Unit can treat a wide range of injuries such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains and strains, minor burns and scalds.

All units have access to X-ray and basic diagnostic services. More information available at hse.ie/injuryunits.

Local Injury Units include the Urgent Care Centre, Children’s Health Ireland, at Connolly Hospital; the Mater Smithfield Rapid Injury Clinic; and St Colmcille’s Injury Unit, Loughlinstown.

Further information is also available at HSE.

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