HSE Mid West preparing for significant increases in influenza and respiratory illness
- Flu likely to peak over Christmas holiday
- Health Services responding to significant ongoing demand
Friday 20th December, 2024 ¦ THE HSE Mid West is preparing for further significant increases in influenza and respiratory illness in the coming days and weeks. The impact of flu circulating in the community has a direct impact on the capacity of health services, both in hospitals and in primary and community care settings.
At mid-December, national surveillance demonstrates a doubling of Influenza and RSV cases over one week. We expect this trend in influenza to continue its upward trajectory until the end of the month. A combined total of almost 2,000 cases of COVID-19, RSV and influenza have been notified nationally in the past week. Over the same week, Emergency Departments have experienced significant increases in people presenting to ED with COVID-19, Influenza and RSV. This includes the ED at University Hospital Limerick.
Maria Bridgeman, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager, HSE Mid West, commented: “High levels of respiratory viruses are currently circulating in the Mid West, including influenza, RSV and COVID 19. The Emergency Department at UHL is also under increasing pressure, with attendances up by over 8% so far this year and by over 11% for patients aged 75 or over. Across our acute and community healthcare settings, we are managing a number of outbreaks of respiratory illness and this impacts the availability of beds as impacted wards are closed to admission of new patients.
Ms Bridgeman added: “In view of this, it is important that we do all we can to try to prevent the spread of respiratory illness in healthcare settings like hospitals, including maternity units, nursing homes or residential care facilities. This means getting vaccinated and avoiding visiting healthcare settings if we have respiratory symptoms. This will help protect those who may be more vulnerable to the effects of these infections and avoid impact on services at a very busy time of year.”
The HSE are particularly concerned about influenza at this time. Commenting on the national picture this week, HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said: “We expect the week of Christmas and the New Year to see flu cases to be at their highest so far this season, and modelling shows hospitalisations from flu alone to be in the region of 600-900. When all other factors are taken into consideration, people can expect to see all access points to healthcare under pressure over the next few weeks.”
Knowing Your Treatment Options
Despite our best efforts, some of us undoubtedly will become ill over Christmas. There are a number of treatment options open to you depending on your illness – being prepared and knowing where to go will mean that you will get treated more quickly and will ease pressures on the healthcare system.
We anticipate the Christmas season to be busier than ever, and this higher demand from patients will create delays getting through to the service at peak times or in waiting for a call back from a triage nurse, and again longer waiting times for an appointment. Where preparations can be made in advance, we advise patients and families to do so.
In addition, vaccination for target groups remains available- to see what vaccines are recommended for you: visit hse.ie, call HSELive on 1800 700 700 or talk to a participating GP or pharmacist.
GPs and GPs out-of-hours
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. Shannondoc will provide urgent out-of-hours GP care over the holiday season and can be contacted on 0818 123 500 and on 061 459 500. Limerick Doc (Limerick City only) can be contacted on 087 755 1570. You must make an appointment for GP out-of-hours services. 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 departmentfor. 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. Injury units are open at St John’s Hospital, Ennis Hospital and Nenagh Hospital from 8am to 8pm 365 days a year.
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.