May Bank Holiday appeal from Portlaoise hospital appeal to Laois people

Laois people and those those from other counties who attend Portlaoise hospital have been urged not to attend the Emergency Department (ED/A&E) over the May Bank Holiday unless for urgent medical reasons. 

John Joyce, General Manager, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, said hospital staff expect to be busy so need the public's help in considering alternatives to the ED before attending. 

“While we are preparing for a busy Bank Holiday period in the hospital, we ask everyone to consider all options before going to ED. 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 injury units. While some patients may regrettably experience long wait times in our emergency departments, urgent patients will always be prioritised for treatment and care.

"Patients who present at the Emergency Department in Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise with non-urgent conditions may 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," he said

Mr Joyce urged people not to delay in seeking medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack or stroke, please dial 999 or 112 in an emergency.

He advised people to plan ahead and make sure you have enough of any medications you might need over the bank holiday, both over the counter and prescription medicines.

The HSE say there are a range of care pathways available to patients who do not need emergency care including:

Visit your pharmacy for advice on common minor illnesses  https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/

Make an appointment with your GP if you’re feeling unwell and it is not an emergency

If you urgently need to see a GP outside of normal hours, contact your local GP Out of Hours service, details below:

Out of Hours Urgent GP Services

The HSE says MIDOC is an appointment only GP service located in the Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath areas. This service is for patients who need urgent medical attention that cannot wait to be seen by their usual GP. Opening Hours: Weekdays, Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8am. Weekends 6pm Friday to 8am Monday. All day on Bank Holidays.

Telephone 1800 302 702 or go to GP Out of Hours service: GP out-of-hours service - HSE.ie for more information.

Injury units

The HSE says an Injury Unit can treat a wide range of injuries such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains and strains, minor burns and scalds for all patients. All units have access to x-ray and basic diagnostic services. For more information see www.hse.ie/injuryunits

The HSE says information on how to manage common illness and advice on when to get emergency help is also available at https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/and https://www2.hse.ie/my-child/ in relation to children.

More info from the HSE on 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

· They can also tell you how to take your medicines correctly.

Find a pharmacy

Many pharmacies are open late and on weekends.

Do not visit your pharmacy if you have:

· a temperature over 38 degrees Celsius

· a cough

· breathlessness

· loss or change to sense of smell or taste

· travelled abroad and are self-isolating

· been a close contact of someone with COVID-19

Ask someone to collect your medicines for you. Some pharmacies will deliver medicines to your home.

Services

Services available in your local pharmacy include:

· prescriptions and repeat prescriptions

· medicines and treatments that you don't need a prescription for

· help with taking medicines correctly

· flu vaccine

· COVID-19 vaccine

· morning after pill

· blood pressure check-up

· Vaccines

· Many pharmacists are now giving COVID-19 vaccines. You have to call them to make an appointment.

Medicines without a prescription

Pharmacists can give you treatments for common conditions without a prescription, such as:

· Colds

· pain relief

· temperatures

· hay fever

· rashes

· warts

Schemes

There are some HSE schemes that can help with pharmacy costs:

· Medical cards - check if you are eligible

· Drugs payment scheme

· Long-term illness scheme