Clare public urged to know their GP out-of-hours service ahead of the holiday period

The Clare public are being urged to ask their GP about their out-of-hours arrangements as practices gear up to close over the Christmas period. It is expected that seasonal illnesses, such as the flu, will peak during this time. 

Out-of-hours GP services provide urgent medical care when a patient’s own GP surgery is closed. Patients who need care outside normal surgery hours should in the first instance contact their own GP practice, which will direct them to the appropriate out-of-hours service.

In the Mid West region, there are two out-of-hours GP service providers, Shannondoc and Limerick Doc.

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Shannondoc will provide urgent out-of-hours GP care over the holiday season and can be contacted on 0818 123 500 and on 061 459 500.

Limerick Doc will provide urgent out-of-hours GP care over the holiday season also and can be contacted on 087 755 1570.

If you require a GP out-of-hours service, the relevant numbers above must be contacted to make an appointment. There is no drop-in facility. 

The GP out-of-hours services operate from 6pm-8am Monday to Thursday and from 6pm on Friday through to 8am on Mondays. These services operate 24 hours on Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays, including on Christmas Day.

It is expected that there will be periods of high demand over the Christmas period and plans are in place to respond to this increased demand.  You may have to wait longer for your call to be answered, however be assured that your call will be dealt with.

Dr Margie Lynch, Medical Director of Shannondoc, said: “If you need urgent medical help and your GP is off duty, please contact your local out-of-hours service. Your GP surgery will guide you to your out-of-hours service.

“For urgent issues such as high fevers, infections, or other conditions requiring prompt attention, please contact the out-of-hours service for advice. For emergencies like chest pain, severe injuries, or breathing difficulties, call 999 or go directly to your nearest Emergency Department,” Dr Lynch added.