HSE West and North West is advising people in Galway and Roscommon to be aware of their healthcare options this October Bank Holiday weekend.
– Please stay safe on the roads, slow down and take care
– Emergency departments will be busy with long wait times
– Go to a HSE injury unit for breaks, sprains and minor wounds
– Out of hour GP services are open all weekend but you must make an appointment
– Your local pharmacy has expert advice on a wide range of conditions
– Ensure you are up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccines
If you do get sick this bank holiday weekend there are a number of healthcare options available; plan ahead, know your options and stay safe.
Ann Cosgrove, HSE Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Galway and Roscommon said, “Unfortunately our emergency departments tend to be busier at holiday weekends than at other times of the year, but we have plans in place to manage high attendances. We are doing everything we can to improve the flow of patients through the ED to minimise delays for patients.”
Many common illnesses can be treated at home but if you need an urgent GP appointment over the weekend, the out of hours GP service in this region is called Westdoc. The service is open all weekend, but you do need to make an appointment in advance by calling (0818) 360 000.
Your local pharmacy can also offer expert advice on a wide range of common illnesses and complaints. At this time of year the HSE does anticipate an increase in flu and COVID-19, and is asking people to ensure they are up to date with their vaccines to reduce your risk of serious respiratory illness this winter.
Find out more about the services offered by your local pharmacy here: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/
Roscommon injury unit is open from 8am to 8pm every day of the year for breaks, sprains and burns. They can help with many of the injuries people go to the emergency department for including X-rays. You do not need an appointment to attend an injury unit.
This October Bank Holiday Weekend, as always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised. When there is a large volume of ED attendances, patients are prioritised in terms of clinical need and wait times for non-urgent care can be lengthy.
Patients presenting with non-urgent injuries may face longer waiting times, depending on the number of patients attending and the severity of patient illnesses at the time in the ED.
Staff at the hospital do all they can to see patients as quickly as possible and regret that anyone might experience long delays in an ED. In an emergency, it’s really important that you do not delay and that you either come to the ED, or dial 999/112.
Please stay safe and look after your mental health as well as your physical health this long weekend. As with any time of year, it’s also important to look after your mental health, in addition to physical health. If anyone has any concerns in relation to their mental health, there are a number of resources supported by the HSE that you can turn to.
There’s a free text service on 50808 and it’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is a safe space to share anonymously, where trained volunteers will engage with you. You can also check out www.YourMentalHealth.ie or Freephone our information line on (1800) 111 888 any time, day or night.
