This August weekend consider all care options available

Ahead of the August Bank Holiday, HSE Dublin and South East is asking people to consider all care options available.

There are a range of services across HSE Dublin and South East (Dublin and South Wicklow, Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford), including GPs, pharmacists, injury units, and GP Out of Hours services, which may be more helpful to consider, instead of presenting at Emergency Departments (EDs).

All patients who present to emergency departments (EDs) will be seen and treated, with the sickest and most urgent patients being prioritised. Any patient requiring emergency hospital treatment should not to delay and should come to the ED or dial 999 or 112 in an emergency.

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. HSE staff work hard to do all they can to see patients as quickly as possible and regret that anyone might experience long delays in an ED.

Martina Queally, REO, HSE Dublin and South East, said: “Over the August Bank Holiday weekend, people will be out enjoying activities, events or festivals. While we hope everyone has a healthy and safe August Bank Holiday, we know that people can unfortunately get ill or need medical care. If people need care, we are asking them to consider all care options available to them including injury units, GP Out of Hours and community pharmacies.

“We anticipate that emergency departments will be busy over the weekend and all patients presenting to our emergency departments will be seen and treated. Our staff will work hard to treat patients presenting, with the sickest and most urgent patients being prioritised. However, patients with non-urgent injuries may face longer waiting times, depending on the number of people attending and the severity of the patient’s illness.

“It’s important that people consider all care options available to them when seeking medical care this weekend."

Find your nearest injury unit, GP out-of-hours services or emergency department here https://www2.hse.ie/services/find-urgent-emergency-care/