Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo
Your health is your wealth so this Christmas it’s important to know where to go when your health is in the red. Depending on your illness, there are a number of treatment options open to you. Being prepared and knowing where to go means you can get treated more quickly and that will ease pressures on our hospitals.
Consider using services such as your local pharmacy and your GP out of hours services before deciding to attend your Emergency Department.
Non-urgent illnesses – GPs
If you urgently need to see a GP outside of their clinic hours, you can contact your local GP out of hours services. You must make an appointment. There is no drop-in facility.
These include:
Caredoc GP Out of Hours Service, which covers Sligo, North Leitrim and the West Cavan area and can be contacted on 0818 365 399.
Caredoc Christmas and New Year opening hours;
- Friday 22nd December 6pm until Wednesday 27th December at 9am.
- Friday 29th December 6pm until 9am on Tuesday 2nd January.
or
NoWDOC GP Out of Hours Service which covers Co. Donegal and South Leitrim and can be contacted on 0818 400 911.
NoWDOC Christmas and New Year opening Hours;
- Friday, 22nd December 6pm through to 8am Wednesday, 27th December
- Friday, 29th December 6pm through to 8am Tuesday 2nd January 2024.
However, if your symptoms are more severe and you can’t wait for an appointment with your doctor, consider your other options.
Emergency Departments
Emergency Departments deal with serious injuries and life threatening emergencies.
If you feel you need to attend an Emergency Department, please be aware that waiting times may be long and therefore staff would ask for your patience in advance. Patients will be seen in order of the severity of their illness.
Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo said “The HSE is committed to keeping everyone healthy this Christmas and would ask that you chose the best method of care for you. Our out of hours GP services are available throughout Christmas and New Year. We would ask that you ring and book an appointment before attending your out of hours GP.”
Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta University Health Care Group added: “Our hospitals will continue to be there to provide emergency care to all who need it. We would ask everyone to consider their care options before attending ED. Being prepared and knowing where to go will mean that you will get treated more quickly and that will ease pressures on the healthcare system.”
Dr Áine McNamara, Area Director of Public Health, Department of Public Health, HSE West and North West, said “We are seeing very high levels of respiratory viruses including flu, COVID-19 and RSV circulating in the community. It is important that if you are feeling unwell, you avoid meeting those who are vulnerable to protect them from serious illness. Keeping up to date with your vaccines is the most important thing you can do to avoid serious flu and COVID-19 illness.”
The best HSE advice to keep your winter merry and bright available here
Last updated on: 27 / 12 / 2023
