Appeal as flu number peak over the Christmas period
The numbers of people hospitalised with flu are expected to exceed around 900 people in the coming days.
The HSE has issued advice as the New Year dawns in a bid to promote positive public health and reduce pressure on acute hospital services.
There were 742 people in hospital with flu on Friday, December 27, but that number had grown to 869 by Sunday, December 29. While the HSE had expected and planned for a surge in hospitalisations at this time, the numbers so far are at the upper end of what they had predicted, a spokesperson said.
According to HSE CEO Bernard Gloster: “The healthcare system and in particular our acute hospitals have been working well over the Christmas period, with senior clinical staff on site ensuring patients are discharged when possible, and ensuring efficient patient flow through Emergency Departments.
"We expect pressure to continue over the coming days and we would urge the public to use alternative healthcare services for treatment such as GP, GP Out of Hours, injury units and pharmacies when appropriate. But if patients are very sick and in an emergency situation, they should of course come to their nearest Emergency Department.”
Emergency Departments are always available to treat seriously ill patients and the sickest patients are seen first. People with less severe injuries and symptoms may have to wait to be seen.
A lot of respiratory illnesses are likely to occur in children over the Christmas holidays, most of these illnesses can be managed at home with over-the-counter medications.
Most of the time you do not need to visit your GP. However, the advice is to trust your instincts and bring your child to your GP if you are worried about them.
Please also be aware of any hospital visiting restrictions due to circulating infections, and for infection prevention and control purposes, which can be found on the HSE website.
Additional daytime GP expanded clinics are available from some practices and patients should check if their GP is participating in this arrangement. Additional supports for GP out of hours services are also being provided.
Vaccines
The HSE is also advising that it’s still not too late to get vaccinated and flu and COVID-19 vaccination for target groups remains available.
TOP TIPS
- Visit your local pharmacy for treating the common cold
- Contact your family doctor as necessary
- The GP out-of-hours service is a high quality clinical service for urgent care
- Emergency Departments treat seriously ill patients. Those with less severe injuries and symptoms may have to wait to be seen in EDs. However, injury units treat injuries that are unlikely to need hospital admission. For example, broken bones, dislocated limbs, sprains and minor burns
- Patients who may need regular prescriptions are urged to get them filled by their own pharmacy
- People are advised to check their first aid boxes are well stocked to treat minor ailments at home e.g. paracetamol, ibuprofen, dioralyte and a thermometer
- Check the HSE website for advice on common illnesses such as colds, coughs, flu, earache and sore throats