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• If you or someone else is seriously ill or needs emergency care, do not delay going to ED or dialling 999/112
• Other options such as community pharmacies, out of hours GP services, and minor injury units are available for non-emergency care

The HSE is asking people to continue to consider all options and pathways available to them before attending an Emergency Department, after a busy Bank Holiday Weekend for the health service. This is in order to protect our EDs for patients who need urgent and emergency care.

As always Emergency Departments will continue to see and treat patients who require urgent and emergency treatment first. People requiring emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised. Please call 999 or 112 for emergency care if there is concern for serious illness or injury.

HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said:

“We know that hospitals will experience pressure coming into Tuesday morning.  Substantial work over the weekend has been of some benefit but the position remains challenging.  In as much as possible we want to reduce discomfort for the public and staff and part of that response lies in the use of all options.” 

Each Hospital Group implemented plans to alleviate overcrowding in their hospital EDs over Easter.  Hospital and Community teams continue to work closely to identify patients who are suitable for discharge home or to community beds in order to maximise the number of beds available in acute hospitals.

The HSE regrets that patients, particularly those who are non-urgent, may expect to experience long waiting times.  Hospital teams across the country are working hard to do all they can to reduce the length of time patients wait in Emergency Departments.

The HSE is also asking people to exercise care and safety on the roads, with poor weather conditions being experienced in many parts.

We expect continued pressure on acute hospitals in the coming days. Injury units treat injuries that are not life-threatening, such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains, wounds, scalds and minor burns. Details of Injury Unit locations and what they can and cannot treat are on hse.ie/injuryunits.

GP Out of Hours information is available on the HSE website here https://www2.hse.ie/services/find-a-gp-out-of-hours/.