People in Galway are being urged to consider all healthcare options open to them before coming to the Emergency Department this bank holiday weekend.
With high attendance numbers expected at Emergency Departments, the HSE is asking people to consider other methods of care including their GP’s, pharmacists and out of hours services before presenting at Emergency Departments.
Westdoc Out of Hours GP services will be open from 6pm today Friday October 27 until 9am Tuesday October 31.
As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised.
Health staff across hospital and community settings will continue to work together over the weekend to ensure all available beds across the hospital and community are in use.
Bank Holiday weekends can be a busy time for our hospitals and emergency services. This means that patients who attend EDs for routine and non-urgent treatment will experience very long waiting times over the coming weekend.
Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta Group said, “We are working with our community colleagues to provide the best possible service to our local population over the Bank Holiday Weekend.”
“If you need emergency care we will be there to provide it, but if it is not an emergency please consider all other care options in the first instance.”
“We expect our Emergency Departments will be busy over the bank holiday and we would ask for patience from the public as we prioritise treating those in need of urgent care.”
The Roscommon Injury Unit is also open to treat injuries that are unlikely to need hospital admission and are more convenient and often quicker than an emergency department.
