Midlands doctor's advice on things to know if you need to go to A&E over Christmas

A senior hospital consultant in the Midlands has highlighted eight things to know if you need to go to the Emergency Department (ED/A&E) over the Christmas and New Year festive season.

In case you or your loved one find yourself in the ED of Portlaoise or Tullamore hospital this Christmas or New Year, here is advice from Dr Carla Hopper, Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, on how to ensure your visit is as efficient as possible.

1. Take a picture of your prescriptions

If you are taking medication/tablets and can never remember the dose or names of them, think about taking a picture of your prescription so you have it if a doctor asks. The list of medications you’re taking is really important.

2. Try to keep your doctor’s letters safe (and your glasses)

Similarly, if you have an emergency and need to go to the ED, it’s a good idea to bring any recent doctor’s letters relating to your condition and don’t forget your glasses and if you do, try to get someone to follow with your glasses or your hearing aid if you have left them behind.

3. Come in if your health takes a dramatic turn

The kind of people who should come in are people who were quite well yesterday and feel very unwell today. If you have sudden severe chest or abdominal pains, or any sudden dramatic, negative change in how you feel, make your way to the Emergency Department if no-one else is around to help.

4. Hurt yourself? The Emergency Department might not be your best bet

Obviously, if it’s an injury stemming from a car accident or where you are losing a lot of blood, do go to the Emergency Department – but for minor wounds, sprains and breaks of your arms or legs, think about going to an Injury Unit instead. If it is something like you’ve fallen over and damaged your wrist, knee, elbow, ankle or shoulder, you will be seen in the Emergency Department but the Injury Unit can see and treat you more quickly. There is an Injury Unit in Naas, Mullingar (Ballinderry), Nenagh and Roscommon. Find the Injury Unit closest to you at www.hse.ie/injuryunits.

5. The flu generally doesn’t warrant the emergency department

Have a “serious dose of the flu”? Hospital is actually not the best source of help. Mild or moderate flu-like viral illness is much more common in winter and we can’t really help with that in hospital. HSE now has a number of resources like undertheweather.ie that provide information about common unexpected but not serious conditions, including self-care and advice for pharmacist or GP services. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

6. If you’re likely to be infectious, try to steer clear

If you have a loved one in hospital and come down with a respiratory illness, flu or Norovirus, do them (and other vulnerable patients) a favour and delay your visit.

Things like respiratory infections and Norovirus (also called the 'winter vomiting bug') are highly contagious.  Spread of these conditions can result from things like not washing your hands after using the toilet and leaving germs on the handle of the toilet door that infect others. Respiratory infections are spread by the infected person breathing out germs.

7. If you’re sick, keep as hydrated as you can

If you are suffering from a tummy bug like Norovirus, do take the proper precautions at home if you can and avoid a visit to hospital (along with washing your hands properly to stop it spreading).

8. But if you’re in a high-risk category… do take extra care

Take extra care if you are in a high-risk category, or have a loved one who is and gets quite sick over Christmas:

The very elderly tolerate infections less well than the younger and physically stronger population.  Very young babies can get a very high temperature and have difficulty letting people know how sick they are – dry nappies across the course of the day is an indicator of dehydration that may need treatment. So, if you do have an infectious condition and can go to your pharmacist or doctor for advice, please do if you can rather than coming straight into ED.

The doctor says is really important that people who do require emergency care are encouraged to attend EDs where they will be prioritised.

Dr Hopper concludes by advising that you Please dial 999 or 112 for emergency care if there is concern for serious illness or injury.