HSE Dublin encourages public to consider all care options this Easter weekend

Ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday, HSE Dublin and South East has asked people to consider all care options available.

There are a range of services, including GPs, pharmacists, injury units and GP Out of Hours services in Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin South, 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.

Regional Clinical Lead, HSE Dublin and South East, Dr. Vida Hamilton says:

“We are encouraging people in Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary South, Waterford, Wexford, Wicklow and Dublin South to consider all care options this weekend including attending the GPs, pharmacies, injury units or the GP Out of Hours services.”

“Our EDs tend be busy over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, and we have plans in place across our hospital and community services to support with attendance. However, it’s important that people continue to consider all care options available to them include injury units, GP Out of Hours and their community pharmacists.”

“Importantly, we hope everyone has a healthy and safe Easter weekend but please be assured HSE hospitals and staff are here to help you in an emergency if needed. All patients presenting to an ED will be seen and treated, with the sickest patients being prioritised.”

Additional care options:

Injury units treat injuries that are not life-threatening, such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds and minor burns. Details of injury unit locations, what they can and cannot treat and opening times are available here hse.ie/injuryunits. Services may also be available from private providers.

GP Out of Hours information is available here https://www2.hse.ie/services/find-a-gp-out-of-hours/.