LETTERKENNY University Hospital is preparing for a busy bank holiday weekend and the public is being urged to consider all options before attending the emergency department.
Tony Canavan, CEO Saolta University Health Care Group said, “We are preparing for increased demand for hospital services in the North West this bank holiday weekend. Our Emergency Departments can be very busy over long weekends and I apologise to anyone who experiences a long wait time in the ED as we prioritise treating those in need of urgent care.
“Please remember that if you need emergency care we will be there to provide it, but if it is not an emergency please consider all other care options in the first instance. We continue to work in collaboration with our colleagues in community services to ensure that patients are receiving the right care at the right time, in the right place this bank holiday weekend.”
Dermot Monaghan, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo said 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.
“They facilitate acute, short term nursing interventions including wound management, oncology care, medication administration and management, patient education and support to promote self-management of catheters and stoma care.”
Opening hours for NoWDOC over the bankholiday weekend is from 6pm Friday, February 2 to 8am Tuesday, February 6 and they can be contacted on 0818 400 91.
Meanwhile Dr Áine McNamara, Area Director of Public Health, Department of Public Health HSE West and North West, said as we approach the bank holiday weekend and February mid-term they are reminding parents of the importance of ensuring children and young people are up to date with their vaccinations.
“As there is a rise in cases of Measles in the UK and Europe currently, we are advising people to ensure they are up to date with the safe and effective MMR vaccine,” she said.
“Getting vaccinated against diseases like measles, mumps and rubella is vitally important as these conditions can also lead to other serious problems including meningitis, hearing loss and problems during pregnancy. Remember, if you or your child has missed their childhood vaccines, it’s not too late to catch up.”
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