People in Mayo are advised of their healthcare options this October Bank Holiday weekend

The HSE West and North West is advising people in Mayo to be aware of their healthcare options this October Bank Holiday weekend, and they also ask people to please stay safe on the roads, slow down and take care.

People seeking healthcare this weekend are advised of the following: Emergency departments will be busy with long wait times; go to a HSE injury unit for breaks, sprains and minor wounds; out of hour GP services are open all weekend but you must make an appointment; your local pharmacy has expert advice on a wide range of conditions; ensure you are up to date with flu and COVID-19 vaccines; if you do get sick this bank holiday weekend there are a number of healthcare options available; plan ahead, know your options and stay safe.

Mary Warde, HSE Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Mayo said, “We recognise that bank holiday weekends can be a particularly busy time for our Emergency Departments, and we have plans in place to help manage the increased demand. Our dedicated teams are working hard to ensure patients receive the care and attention they need while continuing to improve patient flow and reduce waiting times when possible. We would like to thank our staff for their ongoing commitment and our patients for their patience and understanding during busy periods.”

Many common illnesses can be treated at home but if you need an urgent GP appointment over the weekend, the out of hours GP service in the region is called Westdoc. The service is open all weekend, but you do need to make an appointment in advance by calling 0818 360 000. Out of Hours GP information is available on the HSE website here.

Your local pharmacy can also offer expert advice on a wide range of common illnesses and complaints. At this time of year, there is expected to be an increase in flu and COVID-19, so please ensure you are up to date with your vaccines to reduce your risk of serious respiratory illness this winter. Find out more about the services offered by your local pharmacy here.

During this October Bank Holiday weekend, and as always, people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend Emergency Department (ED) where they will be prioritised. When there is a large volume of ED attendances, patients are prioritised in terms of clinical need and wait times for non-urgent care can be lengthy.

Patients presenting with non-urgent injuries may face longer waiting times, depending on the number of patients attending and the severity of patient illnesses at the time in the ED. Staff at the hospital do all they can to see patients as quickly as possible and regret that anyone might experience long delays in an ED. In an emergency, it’s really important that you do not delay and that you either come to the ED, or dial 999/112.

The HSE asks that people please stay safe and look after their mental health as well as their physical health this long weekend. As with any time of year, it’s important to look after your mental health, in addition to physical health. If anyone has any concerns in relation to their mental health, there are a number of resources supported by the HSE that you can turn to. There’s a free text service on 50808 and it’s available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is a safe space to share anonymously, where trained volunteers will engage with you. You can also visit here, or Freephone 1800 111 888 any time, day or night.

The HSE West and North West would like to wish everyone a healthy and safe October Bank Holiday Weekend.