As the August Bank Holiday approaches, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare (CKCH) and the South/Southwest Hospital Group (S/SWHG) share important advice on how to best take care of you and your family members this long weekend.
Whether you’re attending a festival, travelling abroad, or enjoying a Staycation this August Bank Holiday weekend, please make sure you’re ready to enjoy the long weekend safely.
This Bank Holiday Weekend, CKCH and S/SWHG are advising you to:
- Mind your mental health and wellbeing
- Pay your local pharmacists a visit for support and advice on minor ailments
- Know your options if you need urgent medical treatment
Gabrielle O’ Keeffe, Acting Chief Officer of Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, shared her advice ahead of the Bank Holiday Weekend: “As we look forward to some down-time over the August Bank Holiday weekend, we want to ensure that you, your friends, and family safely make the most out of the weekend. In the days leading up to the holiday (whether you’re staying local or jetting off), pay your local pharmacy a visit if needed, have your UV protection ready, and take note on your options if urgent medical care is needed”.
Professor John R. Higgins, CEO of the South/ Southwest Hospital Group advised:
“A Bank Holiday weekend is very welcome, but it can bring additional pressures on all parts of our health service, including Emergency Departments (EDs). It is worth knowing that there are a range of local care options available that don’t necessarily need a trip to the ED.”
Options for health care over the Bank Holiday include:
- Your Local Pharmacist: https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/
- Your local GP (everyone is reminded to check their routine prescriptions ahead of the bank holiday weekend)
- South Doc, the GP Out of Hours Service.
- Injury Units in Cork city, Bantry and Mallow. See https://www2.hse.ie/services/injury-units/
- Emergency Departments are open 24/7 and all emergency and time-critical care for the sickest patients will be prioritised
Although the weather forecast for the August Bank Holiday isn’t showing strong indications of sun, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare staff are encouraging people to incorporate physical activity into the weekend ahead, to help boost your mood and overall well-being whilst ensuring you and your family members monitor the UV index forecast and follow the #SunSmart code where appropriate.
Shirley O’Shea, Senior Health Promotion Officer with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare advises to incorporate regular physical activity into your weekend:
“It is so important to our mental and physical health to spend some time being active outdoors this weekend, it lifts our mood and feelings of wellbeing. Make some time to be active outdoors with friends and family this weekend, cycling, swimming, brisk walking, and dancing are great ways to get our hearts stronger and manage stress. Remember, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier and as little as 10 minutes a day, counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.”
Shirley O’Shea further advised to protect yourself from exposure to ultraviolet (UV) from the sun whilst outdoors: “Remember to follow the five #SunSmart simple steps to learn how to protect yourself and your family this summer. See www.SunSmart.ie and check out #SunSmart on social media, she said”.
The five #SunSmart simple steps are:
· Slip on clothing that covers your skin e.g. long sleeves and collared T-shirts
· Slop on sunscreen on exposed areas using factor 50+ for children
· Slap on a wide-brimmed hat
· Seek shade – especially if outdoors between 11am and 3pm
· Slide on sunglasses to protect your eyes
Louise Creed, Pharmacist with Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, said that your local pharmacy can be a convenient option if you have a minor ailment, “Local pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals and experts in over-the-counter and prescription medicines. They can also provide advice on most illnesses and discuss whether they think you need to see a GP or out-of-hours service. At this time of year, they offer a lot of advice on cuts and scrapes, insect bites, skin rashes, over-the-counter hay fever medications, travel sickness treatments and remedies for dehydration. Many pharmacies across Cork and Kerry will be open over the weekend and available to provide support.”
Louise Creed also reminded everyone to check their prescription and stock up their medicine cabinet before the weekend: “Being prepared in advance by having a well-stocked medicine cabinet with painkillers, wound dressings and hydration treatments is also a good idea,” she added