The HSE is urging people to only attend the emergency department at UHK if they need urgent or emergency healthcare.
The HSE South West is asking the public to explore all their healthcare options this St Patrick's Bank Holiday weekend, following a very busy period of UHK’s emergency department.
The HSE South West says the emergency department at University Hospital Kerry has been very busy in recent weeks.
The HSE says EDs are usually busier at bank holidays, which means that patients with non-urgent issues may face long waits, as critical cases are seen first.
HSE South West Manager for Kerry, Julie O’Neill says if you need urgent or emergency healthcare, the HSE South West and University Hospital Kerry is open to you. However, she says they are asking people to consider which healthcare option best meets their needs.
Other care options include the Mallow Injury Unit, GPs, the SouthDoc GP Out-of-Hours service and pharmacies.
Meanwhile, the National Ambulance Service is also reminding members of the public visiting and using amenities, such as sports grounds and beaches this weekend, to park carefully and to ensure they don’t block access for emergency services.
Options for non-emergency healthcare include:
Self-care – Have a well-stocked medicine cabinet to help with common ailments
Your local pharmacist: www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/
Your GP (check routine prescriptions ahead of the bank holiday weekend)
South Doc, the GP Out-of-Hours service on 0818 355 999 Injury Unit – With shorter wait times, these offer consultant-led care including x-rays, care for fractures, treatment for burns and stitching.
The Injury Unit at Mallow is convenient for many parts of Kerry, and is open this weekend from 8am to 8pm, for those aged 10 and over.
