HSE reports 677 people hospitalised with respiratory illness

Kenneth Fox

The HSE has warned that hospitals around the country remain very busy as we move towards the New Year, with 677 people currently hospitalised with respiratory illness, which includes flu, Covid-19 and RSV. 

As of Tuesday, December 30th, a total of 2,321 new respiratory illness cases were reported over the past week.

While there are signs that flu levels may have peaked with 1,777 cases reported last week, which is down from 3,547 the week before, it must be noted that reporting of respiratory illness levels over the Christmas period can be impacted due to changes in testing and healthcare-seeking behaviour.

People are urged to remain vigilant as levels of flu and other respiratory illnesses are expected to increase over the New Year period.

Paying tribute to the staff supporting patients across the healthcare system over the holidays, chief clinical officer of the HSE, Dr Colm Henry, said: “Our whole healthcare system has responded to the surge in influenza cases over the Christmas period.

"Between the efforts of all services, in hospitals and in the community, we have seen a more efficient flow of patients resulting in less congestion within Emergency Departments.

"Many of our excellent staff have worked extremely hard to protect patients and services from the pressures caused by the high level of respiratory illness at this time, on top of the normal pressures caused by other illnesses and accidents.

“We expect pressure to build as we enter the New Year period and early January, which is traditionally the time of highest pressure on the health services.

"We would urge people to continue to follow the public health advice, staying at home when sick where possible, ensuring you are up to date with vaccination, and considering alternative healthcare services for treatment, such as GP, GP Out of Hours, injury units and pharmacies where appropriate.

“But please be assured if patients are very sick and in an emergency, they should attend their nearest Emergency Department, which are always available. The sickest patients are seen first, people with less severe injuries and symptoms may have to wait to be seen.”

The HSE said they are supporting GP practices across the country to provide, in addition to their daytime normal surgery hours, additional in-person sessions for respiratory/acute consultations. 

This will deliver an additional 20,000 clinical hours to target respiratory issues, with these additional clinics running from December 8th to February 15th, and an additional 20,000 hours of GP Out of Hours capacity commenced on St Stephen’s Day.

It is anticipated that approximately 140,000 patients will be seen at the additional GP clinics, including over 90,000 public patients (medical card and GP visit card holders).

People are being asked to contact a GP out of hours if their GP surgery is closed and they urgently need a GP, not for routine care.