Naas General Hospital Is Pleading With The Public To Consider Care Options Before Going To The Emergency Department

HSE encouraging the public to stay safe and help protect hospitals and emergency departments over the August bank holiday weekend.

The HSE and Naas General Hospital are encouraging the public to stay safe and help protect hospitals and emergency departments over the August bank holiday weekend.

The HSE is encouraging the public to consider all care options over the August bank holiday weekend before attending Emergency Departments (EDs) as it need to ensure it can meet the needs patients who need urgent/emergency and hospital care.

This year, hospitals have reported record numbers of patients presenting at EDs for care and treatment, including a sharp increase in the number of patients who are seen and treated in the ED and then discharged without requiring admission to hospital.

The HSE has said many of these patients could have been treated at other healthcare services such as Injury Units, GP and GP Out of Hours services and pharmacies.

As always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs, where they will be prioritised.

Patients who attend EDs for routine and non-urgent treatment are being advised that they may experience very long waiting times over the coming weekend and into early next week.

The HSE regrets this delay and is asking all to help our staff through a challenging time for our services by:

• Considering all healthcare options before attending ED including Injury Units, GP services and pharmacies
• Dialling 999 or 112 for emergency care if there is concern for serious illness or injury
• Continuing to wear face masks and maintaining good hand hygiene practices when attending hospitals
• Abiding by all infection control measures including visiting restrictions in hospitals and hospital wards.

The HSE is also encouraging people to heed advice from An Garda Síochána and slow down this bank holiday weekend.

Always wear a seatbelt, stop for a coffee and a nap if you are tired and never drink/take drugs and drive.

People should also be mindful of the dangers around waterways this weekend. Always ensure children are supervised while swimming, swim at lifeguarded waterways and never mix alcohol with water activities.

If you or someone else is seriously ill or needs urgent emergency care do not delay going to ED or dialling 999/112 for help.

Out of Hours Urgent GP Services

KDOC operates an appointment only service for urgent medical needs.

The out of hours centres are located in Naas and Celbridge.

Opening hours are Monday to Friday – 17:30 – 8:00am and Weekends and Bank Holidays –open 24 hours a day.

Call:  045 848 701 to book an appointment or go to the KDOC website for more information.