Cork Safety Alert

HSE Emergency Departments Experiencing High Level of Presentations And Demands on Services This Week

  • HSE urges public to consider all available care options – injury unit, GP and local pharmacy

 A number of hospitals are experiencing very high levels of activity this week due to ongoing high illness rates related to winter viruses.

As of 8am today (Tuesday, 23 January 2024) there were 483 patients on trolleys (366 in Emergency Departments and 117 on wards).  At midnight there were 371 people awaiting discharge.  While many hospitals have coped very well with the very high recent prevalence of winter viruses, hospitals under considerable pressure today include Cork University Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, UH Limerick, Galway University Hospital and Letterkenny University Hospital.

The latest information suggests that influenza levels seem to have peaked.  However there will be ongoing high levels of health service activity arising from winter viruses for a number of weeks. The HSE is urging the public to consider all available care options, including injury units, their GP, and local pharmacy if they have a minor ailment.  Injury units are designed to treat injuries that are unlikely to need hospital admission and can to treat someone with a non-life threatening injury like a sprain, broken bone or a minor cut or burn.  Treatment such as x-rays, plaster casts and wound care are also available in an injury unit.

Attending the ED with a minor injury will result in a longer waiting time to be seen as we prioritise patient urgent and emergency cases. You do not need an appointment for an injury unit and there is no charge if you have a GP referral letter or are a medical card holder. To find out where your nearest injury unit is see the HSE website https://www2.hse.ie/emergencies/when-to-visit-an-injury-unit/

According to Damien McCallion, Chief Operations Officer, HSE:

“There is significant pressure on our EDs at the moment with increased presentations.  Whilst we ask the public to seek alternative services for non-urgent care, we want to reassure them that anyone who is seriously injured or ill, or worried their life may be at risk, should to go to the emergency department without delay.

By attending the GP, pharmacy or injury unit if you can, you will help alleviate pressure in the ED, which will help us get patients out of the ED and on to wards.  Surge protocols, as part of the Urgent and Emergency Care plan, have been implemented as needed. This is to reduce the number of patients waiting on trolleys for an acute bed and reduce the number of patients over the age of 75 waiting in emergency departments after a decision has been made to admit them for ongoing care and treatment.

The HSE also appeals to the public to adhere to the public safety advice regarding the stormy weather and to avoid putting themselves in a position where they may have an accident or require emergency services.”

Further information

Find information on when you should go to the ED

Treating strains and sprains

Common illnesses such as colds, coughs, flu, earache and sore throats and information on how to keep well in winter.

For mild symptoms – Treat at home

Helpful information is available online on treating common winter illnesses, such as coughs, colds and flu. There is also advice about how to protect yourself and others during winter.

You do not need an antibiotic if you have a viral infection. Antibiotics cannot treat viruses. An increase in respiratory illness in children is expected during the winter period. Most can be managed at home with over-the-counter medicines.

You should:

Viral infections are very contagious. They can spread quickly before you notice the symptoms. It can be difficult to stop them spreading to vulnerable people. Most of the time you do not need to visit your GP. But trust your instincts. Bring your child to your GP if you are worried about them.

If you have a chronic condition, review your medicine and management of your chronic disease with your public health nurse (PHN), GP or pharmacist.

Useful tips for patients and families

  • Patients who may need regular prescriptions are urged to get them filled on time
  • People are advised to check their first aid boxes are well stocked to treat minor illnesses and injuries
  • Check the HSE website for useful advice on common illnesses such as colds, coughs, flu, earache and sore throats
  • If you are caring for someone that is terminally ill, please have medicines that are recommended by your Palliative Care team or GP for situations that could arise.

Non-urgent illnesses – GPs

If your symptoms don’t improve over time, or if they worsen, call your GP. Your GP can help with non-urgent illnesses. Make sure you are registered with a GP, check out the GP finder here. Know your urgent GP out-of-hours arrangements and contact details.

If you urgently need to see a GP outside of their clinic hours, you can contact your local GP out-of-hour service. You must make an appointment. There is no drop-in facility.

However, if your symptoms are more severe and you can’t wait for an appointment with your doctor, consider your other options.

Injuries unlikely to need hospital admission – Injury units

Injury units can treat many of the injuries people go to the emergency department for. For example, broken bones, dislocations, and minor burns.

You can get treatment such as x-rays, plaster casts, and wound care in an injury unit.

If they cannot help with a particular problem, they will direct you to where you can get the right help.

For details of locations, opening times, list of injuries and ages that can be treated at an injury unit, go to https://www2.hse.ie/services/injury-units/.

When you arrive at an injury unit, you will be:

  • Registered and assessed by the nursing team
  • Treated by a doctor or advanced nurse practitioner (a specially trained nurse) depending on the care you need
  • Given details of any follow-up appointments you may need in the injury unit
  • Referred on to other services if needed.

You do not need an appointment.

There is no charge if you have a full medical card or have a GP referral letter. Otherwise it costs €75 to attend an injury unit.

Life-threatening emergencies – Emergency Departments

Emergency Departments (EDs) deal with life-threatening emergencies. Emergency departments are busy. You may have to wait a long time to be seen. The sickest people are seen first.

Life-threatening emergencies include things like, if someone is breathless; is feeling unwell and getting sicker very quickly; has not peed in over 12 hours and does not need to pee. Other examples include when someone is not feeling well and has become confused and agitated; is very pale with cold hands and feet; is dizzy when they sit up or unable to stand; has developed a rash that does not disappear when pressed down.

Vaccinations

Getting vaccinated is the most effective way of preventing infections. You can get the COVID vaccine if you are 50 and over, immunocompromised and have long-term health conditions. A booster vaccine is recommended during pregnancy.

COVID vaccines are also available for children aged 6 months to 4 years who have a health condition that puts them at high risk of severe illness if they get COVID.

The flu vaccine is recommended if you are 65 and over. The children’s flu vaccine for 2-17 year olds is also available now. The pneumococcal vaccine (PPV23) which protects against pneumonia, septicaemia and meningitis is also available free of charge from participating GPs for people aged 65 and older. Vaccines for these people are free and available from the GP and pharmacy. Use the HSE pharmacy finder for vaccine clinics here.

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