- and warns that Covid-19 cases are on the rise again
The HSE is reminding the public to stay safe over the August bank holiday weekend and to be aware of where to get help if needed - while Mayo County Council also launched an amber alert this week to highlight the dangers for motorists over this long weekend.
A HSE statement advises: "The August bank holiday is approaching and is expected to be a very busy weekend with many people travelling around the country and enjoying outdoor activities. COVID-19 is circulating in our communities and health and emergency services across the West are anticipating a busy weekend. We are reminding the public of the care options available if you become unwell.
"Many local pharmacies will be open over the weekend including Bank Holiday Monday to help with minor illnesses. Pharmacists are qualified healthcare professionals. They can help you get the right medicine if you are feeling unwell, they can also advise on range of health issues. Find out more about the services offered at https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/
"If you urgently need to see a GP outside their clinic hours, you can contact your local GP out-of-hours service. Additional practice staff will be working over the long weekend to deal with an expected increase in demand. To make an appointment with the out of hours GP service, please contact Westdoc on: 0818 360 000 from 6pm Friday 04 August to 9am on Tuesday 08 August.
"Hospital Emergency Departments around the country are experiencing very high attendances and we expect this to be another busy weekend. EDs are for life threatening emergencies, patients who attend for routine and non-urgent treatment will be waiting a long time to be seen. Please do not visit a healthcare setting if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (sore throat, cough, temperature or shortness of breath.
"Roscommon injury unit is an alternative to a busy ED, treating breaks, sprains, burns and wounds and is open from 8am to 8pm 365 days per year. The unit can see, diagnose and treat a wide range of injuries for both adults and children over five years old. You don’t need an appointment or a GP referral."
Tony Canavan, CEO Saolta added: “As the last bank holiday weekend of the summer approaches we are expecting a busy few days in our hospital EDs. I want to reassure the public that anyone with an illness or injury which requires emergency care should always come to the ED where they will be prioritised. We have operational plans in place for all bank holiday periods to manage additional pressures and health staff across hospital and community settings will continue to work together over the weekend to ensure all available beds across the hospital and community are in use.”
Dr Áine Mc Namara, Area Director of Public Health Area F offered the following advice: “While spending time with family and friends, it is important that if you are feeling unwell to avoid meeting those who are vulnerable to protect them from illness. In the past week, there was an increase in COVID-19 cases nationally (22% increase in cases and 19% increase in hospitalised cases ). Keeping up to date with your vaccines is the most important thing you can do to avoid serious COVID-19 illness. Find out more here.”
JJ McGowan, General Manager Operations West with National Ambulance Service added: “Please also bear in mind that our ambulance service is extremely busy at present. We continue to prioritise calls so the most seriously ill or injured receive the quickest response. Please consider all your care options because non life-threatening calls will have longer wait times. In an emergency always call 112/999.”
Meanwhile, this August Bank Holiday Weekend Mayo County Council's Road Safety Officer, Gary Smyth, is asking all Motorists to plan their trips, saying: “Don’t speed and don’t drive under the influence of drink or drugs. Make sure your car is road worthy and wear your seatbelts. In wet weather put on your dipped headlights and allow double the breaking distance you would normally allow. Pedestrians should wear Hi Vis clothing during the day if out walking and be reflective at night. Cyclists also need to be seen and wear Hi Vis clothing and attach a flashing rear light to their bikes as an extra to be seen.”
