Leitrim people urged to choose right healthcare ahead of Easter Bank Holiday weekend

The HSE advises people to check their healthcare options ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

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

With the rise in measles cases, parents are asked to ensure their children have the MMR vaccine up to date.

In addition to acute services, people can choose from many community-based care options. In Donegal, as well as out-of-hours GP option NoWDOC, Community Intervention Teams (CIT) are in place across the area to help facilitate hospital discharges.

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

In Donegal and South Leitrim, NoWDOC can be contacted on 0818 400 91 and will operate from 6pm on Friday, March 29, until 8am on Tuesday, April 2.

Meanwhile Caredoc, which operates in Sligo, North Leitrim and West Cavan can be contacted on 0818 365 399, and will operate from 6pm on Friday, March 29 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.”

Dr Aine McNamara, Area Director of Public Health, Department of Public Health HSE West and North West, added: “Measles is highly infectious and can be a serious infection. The only protection against measles is vaccination or prior infection. Two doses of MMR vaccine are needed, and if a child or young adult is not fully protected, then MMR vaccines can be obtained from your GP or HSE Vaccination Clinic.”

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.”