HSE urges Carlow public to consider all options before Emergency Departments this Christmas

The HSE is urging the public to consider all options of care this Christmas and New Year period.

They are asking people to consider other methods of care including their GPs, pharmacists and Caredoc out of hours services before presenting at Emergency Departments (EDs).

'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.'

Chief Officer of HSE/South East Community Healthcare Grace Rothwell says “Patient safety is at the forefront of everything the HSE does. People across counties Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford, however, can help HSE staff at a busy time such as this Christmas and New Year period by remembering when care is needed and to consider all the options for non-emergency care – such as Injury Units, Out of Hours GP (Caredoc) and pharmacies before attending an ED.”