With a busy weekend expected, there are many options of healthcare available.

Patients who attend EDs for routine and non-urgent treatment are being advised they may have long waiting times over the coming weekend and into early next week.

As well as acute services, there are many community based options of care that people can chose from.

In Donegal, as well as out of hours GP option NoWDOC there are Community Intervention Teams (CIT) in place across the area that help with the facilitation of hospital discharges.

The CIT is a specialist health professional team who offer an extended service from 8am to 8pm, seven days per week and can be contacted in Donegal on 074 9109257 / 086 1082129.

In Donegal and South Leitrim NoWDOC can be contacted on 0818 400 91 and will operate until 8am on Tuesday April, April 2.

Meanwhile Caredoc, which operates in Sligo, North Leitrim and West Cavan can be contacted on 0818 365 399, and will operate until 9am on Tuesday April, 2.

You can also contact your local pharmacy for advice and over the counter treatment.

Tony Canavan, REO of HSE West and North West said: “Health services across the region will work together to ensure all care options are available to our communities over this long Bank Holiday. If you require urgent emergency care, please visit our Emergency Departments, but if your care needs are not urgent I ask you to consider our GP services in the first instance.”

Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo said “There are a number of healthcare options available to the public this Easter Bank Holiday Weekend and it is about choosing which best suits your needs. Please consider utilising the community based options of care such as the GP Out of Hours services where appropriate.”