HSE Press Release
Tuesday, 23 January 2024
HSE urges public to consider all available care options - injury unit, GP and local pharmacy
A number of hospitals are experiencing very high levels of activity this week due to ongoing high illness rates related to winter viruses.
As of 8am today (Tuesday, 23 January 2024) there were 483 patients on trolleys (366 in Emergency Departments and 117 on wards). At midnight there were 371 people awaiting discharge. While many hospitals have coped very well with the very high recent prevalence of winter viruses, hospitals under considerable pressure today include Cork University Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, UH Limerick, Galway University Hospital and Letterkenny University Hospital.
The latest information suggests that influenza levels seem to have peaked. However there will be ongoing high levels of health service activity arising from winter viruses for a number of weeks. The HSE is urging the public to consider all available care options, including injury units, their GP, and local pharmacy if they have a minor ailment. Injury units are designed to treat injuries that are unlikely to need hospital admission and can to treat someone with a non-life threatening injury like a sprain, broken bone or a minor cut or burn. Treatment such as x-rays, plaster casts and wound care are also available in an injury unit.
Attending the ED with a minor injury will result in a longer waiting time to be seen as we prioritise patient urgent and emergency cases. You do not need an appointment for an injury unit and there is no charge if you have a GP referral letter or are a medical card holder. To find out where your nearest injury unit is see the HSE website.
According to Damien McCallion, Chief Operations Officer, HSE: “There is significant pressure on our EDs at the moment with increased presentations. Whilst we ask the public to seek alternative services for non-urgent care, we want to reassure them that anyone who is seriously injured or ill, or worried their life may be at risk, should to go to the emergency department without delay.”
“By attending the GP, pharmacy or injury unit if you can, you will help alleviate pressure in the ED, which will help us get patients out of the ED and on to wards. Surge protocols, as part of the Urgent and Emergency Care plan, have been implemented as needed. This is to reduce the number of patients waiting on trolleys for an acute bed and reduce the number of patients over the age of 75 waiting in emergency departments after a decision has been made to admit them for ongoing care and treatment.
“The HSE also appeals to the public to adhere to the public safety advice regarding the stormy weather and to avoid putting themselves in a position where they may have an accident or require emergency services.”
Last updated on: 24 / 01 / 2024
