Public urged to consider all care options this Easter Bank Holiday weekend

Health services in Donegal wish to remind the public of all their care options ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

With services traditionally experiencing increased demand during holiday periods, the HSE is advising patients to plan ahead and consider all available care pathways before attending Emergency Departments.

Dermot Monaghan, HSE Healthcare Manager, Donegal said: “We want to ensure that patients receive the right care, in the right place at the right time this Easter weekend. Emergency Departments are there for people who are seriously ill or injured, but there are many other options available in the community that may be more appropriate and quicker for less urgent needs.

“We have plans in place right across our hospitals and community services to manage high attendances at emergency departments over the Easter holiday weekend. However, we are asking the public to consider pharmacies and GP services where appropriate as these services can provide timely advice and treatment for many non‑urgent health concerns, helping keep the Emergency Department available for those who need urgent or lifesaving care.

“We wish everyone a safe and healthy Easter weekend. Our hospitals and staff remain available to provide care in the event of an emergency. All patients who attend an Emergency Department will be assessed and treated, with those who are most seriously ill or injured prioritised.”

Care options available this Easter Bank Holiday weekend include GP Out-of-Hours Service (Nowdoc): If you urgently need to see a GP over the bank holiday weekend, you should contact your local out-of-hours GP service, Nowdoc. The service operates across the weekend, appointments must be made in advance. GP Out of Hours information is available on the HSE website

Your local pharmacy: Community pharmacists provide expert advice and over-the-counter treatments for a wide range of minor illnesses. In addition to this expert advice, a new service is available which allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medication without the need to see a GP.

The following common conditions can be treated under the Common Conditions Service; allergic rhinitis, cold sores, conjunctivitis, impetigo, oral thrush, shingles, cystitis (uncomplicated urinary tract infection), vaginal thrush. Information about the scheme is available on the HSE website Common Conditions Service

Mental health supports: Information about when to get help, organisations that provide mental health services and types of specialist services are available on the Getting help for your mental health section on the HSE website

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.