Westdoc, the out-of-hours GP service, has come to the rescue of HSE public health nurses and home help workers in Galway and Roscommon during the Big Freeze.
The organisation has made its vehicles and drivers available to health authority staff covering areas as far apart as Roscommon town and Renvyle, to assist them with their daily duties.
“In the last few years Westdoc has worked on ensuring that all vehicles operating in its out-of-hours service are four-wheel drives, thus allowing them to operate in all types of weather conditions and over the sometimes rough terrain in the West of Ireland,” says Siobhan O'Sullivan, its manager.
“This move towards sturdier vehicles has proved very beneficial in the recent cold snaps. Over recent weeks, Westdoc has been equally able to transport HSE staff to remote rural locations or around housing estates in towns which would be inaccessible to a standard car.”
While Westdoc primarily operates as an out-of-hours GP medical care service it also runsa transportation service for GP laboratory specimens on behalf of the HSE West’s primary community continuing care areas. Its flexible operation means that it can make its resources available at times which work well for the HSE nursing and home help staff.
”Westdoc staff travel the roads of the West of Ireland day after day and we appreciate the difficulties the current cold spell has caused for the older, immobile and vulnerable members of the community.We are delighted to work together with other health service staff to provide an efficient and effective option that ensures much needed services that can only be provided to patients in their own homes are delivered in a timely manner. I would like to pay tribute to the dedication of the Westdoc drivers and office team who have worked so hard to make this happen.”
During the holiday season,Westdoc will provide its normal range of services as deemed medically appropriate, including free nurse advice. It is an appointment service only so if patients of Westdoc GP’s require urgent or emergency GP care they can telephone the company on lo-call 1850 365000.
“Where possible, however, patients should contact their own GP who will be running surgeries over the holiday period.
“If you are unsure who to call you can phone your GPs telephone number and they will have a message on the phone telling you the number to contact to access the doctor who is covering for them.”
