People in Galway are being urged to consider all their options before attending the emergency department this Bank Holiday weekend.
The Saolta Hospital Group are advising the public that there will be large numbers attending Emergency Departments this weekend and they will be prioritising those in need of urgent and emergency care.
Bank holiday weekends and extended good weather usually bring additional pressure on the hospital system and the National Ambulance Service.
Serious incidents, accidents and injuries can’t always be avoided, but if you require medical treatment over the Bank Holiday weekend, it’s important to know that there are a range of local care options available to you.
Those that don’t necessarily involve a trip to the Emergency Department include your local Injury Unit, GP Out of Hours service or your local Pharmacist.
Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta Group said, “As we approach the Bank Holiday weekend we want to assure all members of the public that we will be there for them for emergency care.”
“To best protect those who need urgent care we are appealing to our communities to consider all care options before attending at ED.”
“Using GP and pharmacy services in the first instance will help protect our emergency departments for those who need it most.”
Patients who attend EDs for routine and non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times over the coming weekend.
The Saolta Group has said that every effort is being made to discharge patients who are ready to go home so that beds will become available for patients who need to be admitted, at the earliest opportunity.
Breda Crehan Roche, Chief Officer Community Healthcare West, added, “If you urgently need to see a GP out of hours, please contact Westdoc on 0818 360 000 from 6pm Friday, June 1 to 9am on Tuesday, June 6.”
“Westdoc provides urgent out-of-hours GP care for patients of participating practices in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.”
“The GP out-of-hours service is for patients needing urgent medical care. It is not a substitute for the Emergency Ambulance Service who are the appropriate service to deal with medical emergencies where they arise.”
