Midlands HSE encourages you to know your healthcare options for Bank Holiday weekend

Ahead of the October Bank Holiday Weekend, the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore and HSE Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation wants to remind the public of their treatment option before attending the Emergency Department (ED) at the hospital. There are a range of care pathways available to patients who do not need emergency care including:

· Visit your pharmacy for advice on common minor illnesses. Find out more here https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/

· Make an appointment with your GP if you’re feeling unwell and it is not an emergency

· If you urgently need to see a GP outside of normal hours, contact your local GP Out of Hours service, details below:

Out of Hours Urgent GP Services

MIDOC is an appointment only GP service located in the Laois, Longford, Offaly and Westmeath Areas. This service is for patients who need urgent medical attention that cannot wait to be seen by their usual GP. Opening Hours: Weekdays, Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8am. Weekends 6pm Friday to 8am Monday. All day on Bank Holidays. Telephone 1800 302 702 or go to GP Out of Hours service: GP out-of-hours service - HSE.ie for more information.

An Injury Unit can treat a wide range of injuries such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains and strains, minor burns and scalds for all patients. All units have access to x-ray and basic diagnostic services. For more information see www.hse.ie/injuryunits. See details of Injury Units below.

1. Mullingar Minor Injuries Unit

Charter Medical Private Hospital, Ballinderry, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 FE40

Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm.

Closed Bank Holiday Mondays.

2. Nenagh Injury Unit

Tyone, Nenagh, Tipperary, E45 PT86

Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, including Bank Holidays

3. Roscommon Injury Unit

Roscommon University Hospital, Athlone Road, Roscommon, F42 AX61

Monday to Sunday 8am to 8pm, including Bank Holidays

· Emergency Departments treat seriously ill patients. Visit an ED or call 999 or 112 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. Those with less severe injuries and symptoms may have to wait to be seen in Emergency Departments

Tullamore Emergency Department is busy with high numbers of patients attending, many presenting with complex needs requiring admission. You can help staff at this busy time by considering other options for non-emergency care such as Injury Units, Out of Hours GP and pharmacies before attending an Emergency Department. This is in order to protect our EDs for patients who need urgent and emergency care.

Patients who present at the Emergency Department with non-urgent conditions may experience long wait times to be seen. Any patient who needs emergency hospital care will be seen and we would urge such patients not to delay attending the ED. Do not delay in seeking medical attention if you suspect you are having a heart attack or stroke, please dial 999 or 112 in an emergency.

Catriona Mc Donald General Manager in Tullamore Hospital said: “While we are preparing for a busy Bank Holiday period in the hospital, we ask everyone to consider all options before going to ED. Those who believe they may be seriously ill and require emergency care should of course come to hospital, but we would urge others to consider seeking support from pharmacists, GPs, GP out-of-hours services and injury units. While some patients may regrettably experience long wait times in our emergency departments, urgent patients will always be prioritised for treatment and care.’

Information on how to manage common illness and advice on when to get emergency help is also available at https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/ and https://www2.hse.ie/my-child/ in relation to children.