The HSE is urging people to become aware of the “various doors” to health services to make it easier to select the most appropriate and quickest way to get advice or help over the festive season.
A leaflet, entitled “Use The Right Door” which gives information on the various health services is now available from the HSE information line at 1850 24 1850 and www.hse.ie
The variety of healthcare, advice and information includes:
• Your Own Door. Many accidents occur at home so a well-stocked and easily accessible home first aid kit is important. A basic knowledge of first aid is also useful. A first aid kit can help reduce the pain and trauma of an accident at home.
• The Pharmacy Door. Their local pharmacy is the first point of contact with the health service for many when they are ill or need medical advice. Pharmacists are a good source of sound judgment and advice.
• The Doctor (GP ) Clinic Door. Most doctors’ clinics provide an emergency appointment service during normal clinic hours. You should register yourself and your family with a local GP and if you do not have the details of your nearest doctor telephone the HSE information line at 1850 24 1850.
• GP Out of Hours Door. The GP out-of-hours service is for health concerns which require urgent care outside normal working hours. The out-of-hours service is available from 6pm until 8am Monday to Thursday and at the weekend from 6pm on Friday until 8am on Monday.
• Emergency Department Door. Emergency departments treat seriously ill patients and should be kept for emergencies only, stresses the HSE. “As soon as somebody arrives at an emergency department they are clinically prioritised using an internationally recognised triage system. The triage process ensures the most seriously ill patients are seen first while patients with less severe injuries wait longer and those with minor injuries longer still. There are 35 emergency departments in hospitals across the country. Contact the Winter Information Line on 1850 24 1850 or by logging on to www.hse.ie for details of your nearest emergency department.’
John O’Brien, the HSE’s national director of the Winter Initiative, says sometimes the emergency department door is the first place people think of when they need help or medical assistance.
“During the Christmas holidays the HSE will continue to provide essential health services to those who need them. Many HSE staff will be working hard during the festive period to ensure that appropriate care is provided. GPs, GP out-of-hours services and many pharmacies will also be providing health services over the coming week and we would encourage people to think about which door/service is the right one for what they need.”
The public can get a leaflet and further information on GP out of hours services by telephoning the HSE information line at 1850 24 1850. It operates from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm providing information on all HSE services nationwide. It will operate as normal over Christmas except for being closed on Christmas Day, St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day.
