Cork doctor says some people going to hospital to access care because they don't have a GP

The HSE has appealed to people to consider all care options before they present at emergency departments this Easter bank holiday weekend, as hospitals are “extremely busy”.

It comes as new figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) show that Cork University Hospital has been the second-most overcrowded hospital in the country in March, with 1,079 admitted patients waiting on trolleys for treatment so far this month.

A further 251 admitted patients were waiting for beds at Mercy University Hospital, while the figure at Bantry General Hospital was 56.

The INMO said that,nationally, 9,856 patients went without a hospital bed in March.

No access to a GP 

GP John Sheehan, of Blackpool Bridge Surgery, said that while most people would go to an emergency department only as a last resort, some people have no choice as they do not have access to a GP.

“The challenge is that we have 10% of people in Ireland who don’t have a GP, so for them to access care, it is sometimes harder, particularly for long-term conditions,” said Dr Sheehan. “So some of them end up going to SouthDoc more regularly or to A&E as their primary care, and that’s obviously not desirable.”

Dr Sheehan, who is also a Fianna Fáil councillor, said that GP practices are busy as most people do not want to go to an emergency department with an injury out of fear of being left waiting for treatment on a trolley.

“Generally, we would have people come to us in general practice or go to their pharmacy, and only go to A&E as a last resort,” he said.

He said, however: “We have a situation where if we see a patient and we feel they need to be in A&E, it often is a challenge to persuade them to go, particularly older people because they are naturally fearful and concerned about whether they will be put on a trolley. So sometimes it is hard to actually persuade people to go to A&E when they really need to.”

Dr Sheehan welcomed the HSE’s appeal that anyone feeling unwell this long weekend should consider a pharmacy, out-of-hours GP, or injury clinic as their first port of call.

The HSE said that anyone who presents to an emergency department over Easter will be seen and treated, with those most ill and urgent cases being prioritised for care.

Increased numbers of patients 

HSE acute operations national director Grace Rothwell said: “Our hospitals continue to be extremely busy.

“Our emergency departments in particular continue to see significantly increased numbers of patients attending and being admitted.

“We continue to work hard across our hospital and community services to minimise the length of time patients wait to be treated, particularly those aged over 75.

“The HSE has plans in place across its hospital and community services to support high attendances at its emergency departments over the Easter holiday weekend.

“Our hospital and community teams continue to work closely to enable patients move as quickly as possible through the hospital system.”

Dr Sheehan said that while practices are busy, “nobody wants to have to go” to the emergency department.

“It is good to think of some of the alternatives that are out there,” he said.

“The thing that you would always consider, for instance, is the Mercy Urgent Care Centre, SouthDoc, Affidea, and the pharmacy, who often can give very good advice and very practical advice.”