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03 Apr 2026
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03 Apr 2026
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Hospitals for emergencies - GP out of hours and other services for non-emergencies says HSE.
As the Christmas and New Year holiday approaches the HSE has provided the public with information on where they should go for treatment if in need of urgent care this Christmas and New Year.
The HSE says hospitals in Laois and elsewhere reporting high numbers of patients presenting at Emergency Departments (ED/A&E) for care and treatment, including a sharp increase in the number of patients presenting with Flu and Covid-19.
In the first instance people are reminded that it is not too late to get the flu vaccination, particularly those who are vulnerable, younger and older.
Where people feel the need the help of a health professional during the Festive season, the HSE says alternative healthcare services to hospitals are opened this Christmas such as Injury Units, GP and GP Out of Hour services and pharmacies.
Carole Broadbank is the Integrated Healthcare Manager for HSE Midlands.
“It’s vitally important that people know their options and keep well over the Christmas period. We are seeing a sharp increase of people presenting with viral winter illness with increasing levels of Flu and Covid-19 circulating in the community. It is important that we protect ourselves and our families by getting vaccinated and staying at home and away from those most vulnerable if you are experiencing symptoms of cold and flu. This will help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases such as Flu, COVID and RSV.
“We have been working very hard to ensure patients who need emergency care are prioritised while responding to the additional pressures associated with respiratory illness at this time of year. Unfortunately, people attending with less serious illness or injury will experience longer waiting times.
"We are working with our community health services to ensure that those patients who can be treated in alternative services are seen and avoid hospital admission and that a continuous focus remains on patient flow through our hospitals, with additional senior decision makers on site, using appropriate private hospitals beds, where available and are providing support to ensure patients are discharged home or to other appropriate facilities, once they are clinically fit for discharge,” she said.
As always, the HSE says Emergency Departments will continue to see and treat patients who require urgent and emergency treatment first.
It says patients who attend EDs for routine and non-urgent treatment are being advised that they will experience very long waiting times.
The HSE says it regrets this delay and is asking all to help our staff through a challenging time for our services by:
As always if you or someone else is seriously ill or needs urgent emergency care do not delay going to ED or dialling 999/112 for help.
The HSE adds that it fully appreciates the importance of a patient having a visit from their loved ones and the very important part a visit plays in their recovery.
If you plan to visit a hospital setting, protect yourself, your loved ones and hospital staff this winter by following this advice:
For up-to-date guidelines including visiting times, please see: www2.hse.ie/services/hospitals/
Advice from HSE Public Health for Dublin and Midlands
Prevention is always better than cure. So this winter, the advice from Public Health is to:
It can be hard to know which virus you have. This is why it is important to stay away from people who are pregnant, elderly or living with an underlying medical condition when you are sick. Even if you don’t feel particularly unwell, what you might experience as a mild illness could cause them to be very sick.
Flu and COVID-19 can be more serious for people who are pregnant, elderly or living with underlying medical conditions. That's why we recommend the flu and COVID-19 vaccines to these groups. It is also important that those who are more likely to get respiratory viruses, such as carers or health care workers, are up to date with their vaccines.
To see what is recommended for you, go to www.hse.ie or chat to your pharmacist or GP.
Most winter illnesses can be managed at home. Antibiotics do not help viruses. For tips on how to stay well at home while you are recovering from a winter illness go to www.hse.ie but remember to always seek medical help if your symptoms are worsening or you become concerned.
Out of Hours Urgent GP Services
Urgent out-of-hours GP care is available when your own surgery closes in the evening. The service is not a walk-in service. It is by appointment only for those who are seriously unwell.
Patients should also remember that GP surgeries will be open as normal on nonbank holiday days. Patients should check the opening times with their own GP.
The service should only be used for urgent cases that cannot wait for the next routine surgery appointment. We expect it to be busier than ever and patients may face delays getting through to the service at peak times or waiting for a call back.
MIDOC GP Out of Hours provides urgent out-of-hours GP care for patients of participating practices in counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly. If your GP is not a participating GP of MIDOC, please contact your own GP Out of Hours.
Patients can contact the service by calling 1800 302 702.
MIDOC’s arrangements for Christmas 2024 are as follows:
HSE Injury Units
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 asks people to consider all healthcare options at this time including the injury units located in Mullingar, Roscommon, Naas and Nenagh.
Minor Injuries Unit Opening Hours – Christmas and New Years Opening Hours
Regional Hospital Mullingar Injury Unit
Charter Medical Private Hospital, Ballinderry, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 FE40
Opening Hours:
Phone: 044 938 5331
Naas Hospital Injury Unit
Naas Hospital Injury Unit serves the populations of Kildare and West Wicklow and is located at Vista Primary Care Centre, Ballymore Eustace Road, Naas, Kildare, W91 X38W
Nenagh Injury Unit
Roscommon Injury Unit
8 things to know if you need to go to the Emergency Department over the festive period
In case you or your loved one find yourself in the Emergency Department (ED) this Christmas or New Year, here is advice from Dr Carla Hopper, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore on how to ensure your visit is as efficient as possible.
So here’s what you should know:
1. Take a picture of your prescriptions
If you are taking medication/tablets and can never remember the dose or names of them, think about taking a picture of your prescription so you have it if a doctor asks. The list of medications you’re taking is really important.
2. Try to keep your doctor’s letters safe (and your glasses)
Similarly, if you have an emergency and need to go to the ED, it’s a good idea to bring any recent doctor’s letters relating to your condition and don’t forget your glasses and if you do, try to get someone to follow with your glasses or your hearing aid if you have left them behind.
3. Come in if your health takes a dramatic turn
The kind of people who should come in are people who were quite well yesterday and feel very unwell today. If you have sudden severe chest or abdominal pains, or any sudden dramatic, negative change in how you feel, make your way to the Emergency Department if no-one else is around to help.
4. Hurt yourself? The Emergency Department might not be your best bet
Obviously, if it’s an injury stemming from a car accident or where you are losing a lot of blood, do go to the Emergency Department – but for minor wounds, sprains and breaks of your arms or legs, think about going to an Injury Unit instead. If it is something like you’ve fallen over and damaged your wrist, knee, elbow, ankle or shoulder, you will be seen in the Emergency Department but the Injury Unit can see and treat you more quickly. There is an Injury Unit in Naas, Mullingar (Ballinderry), Nenagh and Roscommon. Find the Injury Unit closest to you at www.hse.ie/injuryunits.
5. The flu generally doesn’t warrant the emergency department
Have a “serious dose of the flu”? Hospital is actually not the best source of help. Mild or moderate flu-like viral illness is much more common in winter and we can’t really help with that in hospital. HSE now has a number of resources like undertheweather.ie that provide information about common unexpected but not serious conditions, including self-care and advice for pharmacist or GP services.
6. If you’re likely to be infectious, try to steer clear
If you have a loved one in hospital and come down with a respiratory illness, flu or Norovirus, do them (and other vulnerable patients) a favour and delay your visit.
Things like respiratory infections and Norovirus (also called the 'winter vomiting bug') are highly contagious. Spread of these conditions can result from things like not washing your hands after using the toilet and leaving germs on the handle of the toilet door that infect others. Respiratory infections are spread by the infected person breathing out germs.
7. If you’re sick, keep as hydrated as you can
If you are suffering from a tummy bug like Norovirus, do take the proper precautions at home if you can and avoid a visit to hospital (along with washing your hands properly to stop it spreading).
8. But if you’re in a high-risk category… do take extra care
Take extra care if you are in a high-risk category, or have a loved one who is and gets quite sick over Christmas:
The very elderly tolerate infections less well than the younger and physically stronger population. Very young babies can get a very high temperature and have difficulty letting people know how sick they are – dry nappies across the course of the day is an indicator of dehydration that may need treatment. So, if you do have an infectious condition and can go to your pharmacist or doctor for advice, please do if you can rather than coming straight into ED.
It is really important that people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised. Please dial 999 or 112 for emergency care if there is concern for serious illness or injury.
On behalf of the HSE Dublin and Midlands, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!
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