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06 Dec 2025
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06 Dec 2025
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Hospitals in Portlaoise and else where under pressure.
The HSE is making an urgent appeal to the people in Laois who use Portlaoise hospital and wish the visit patients there due to the impact of flu and Covid-19 on the hospital.
The HSE issued a statement outlining the pressure and advice to people at this time.
"Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is experiencing a high number of patients presenting to the Emergency Department with high admissions. As a result, patients are experiencing long wait times to be seen.
"There is a high number of people presenting to hospital with respiratory viral illness, also known as Flu or COVID-19. To reduce the spread of flu or COVID-19 in the healthcare setting the Hospital has also implemented visiting restrictions. These restrictions include only one visitor allowed per patient during visiting hours. These measures will be kept under review. Certain exceptions will be made by contacting ward staff in advance," said a statement.
For up-to-date guidelines on visiting patients, please visit: https://www2.hse.ie/services/disruptions/
The HSE also wants people to seek alternatives if their situation is not an emergency.
"Where possible, the management at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is asking patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service," it said.
The HSE says Emergency Departments treat seriously ill patients. Visit an ED or call 999 or 112 if someone is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk. Those with less severe injuries and symptoms will have to wait to be seen in the Emergency Department.
Information on how to manage common illness and advice on when to get emergency help is also available at https://www2.hse.ie/living-well/ and https://www2.hse.ie/my-child/ in relation to children.
There are a range of care pathways available to patients who do not need emergency care including:
Visit your pharmacy for advice on common minor illnesses.
Find out more here https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/
If you urgently need to see a GP outside of normal hours, the HSE asks that you contact your local GP Out of Hours service.
It says urgent out-of-hours GP care is available when your own surgery closes in the evening. The service is not a walk-in service. It is by appointment only for those who are seriously unwell. Patients should also remember that GP surgeries will be open as normal on nonbank holiday days. Patients should check the opening times with their own GP.
It says the service should only be used for urgent cases that cannot wait for the next routine surgery appointment. We expect it to be busier than ever and patients may face delays getting through to the service at peak times or waiting for a call back.
MIDOC GP Out of Hours provides urgent out-of-hours GP care for patients of participating practices in counties Longford, Westmeath, Laois and Offaly. If your GP is not a participating GP of MIDOC, please contact your own GP Out of Hours.
Patients can contact the service by calling 1800 302 702.
MIDOC’s arrangements for Christmas 2024 are as follows:
HSE Injury Units
The HSE says an Injury Unit can treat a wide range of injuries such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains and strains, minor burns and scalds for all patients. All units have access to x-ray and basic diagnostic services. For more information see www.hse.ie/injuryunits
The HSE asks people to consider all healthcare options at this time including the injury units located in Mullingar, Roscommon, Naas and Nenagh.
Minor Injuries Unit Opening Hours New Years Opening Hours
Regional Hospital Mullingar Injury Unit
Charter Medical Private Hospital, Ballinderry, Mullingar, Westmeath, N91 FE40
Opening Hours:
Sunday 29th December 10:00 – 17:30
Monday 30th December 08:00 – 19:30
Tuesday 31st (New Years Eve) 08:00 – 19:30
Wednesday 1st January (New Years Day) Closed
Thursday 2nd January 08:00 – 19:30
Friday 3rd January 08:00 – 19:30
Saturday 4th January 10:00 – 17:30
Sunday 5th January 10:00 – 17:30
Service Available To: Age 16 and older
Phone: 044 938 5331
Naas Hospital Injury Unit
Naas Hospital Injury Unit serves the populations of Kildare and West Wicklow and is located at Vista Primary Care Centre, Ballymore Eustace Road, Naas, Kildare, W91 X38W
Open Monday to Sunday 10am to 8pm. Service available to age 16 and older
Phone: 045 872 135
Nenagh Injury Unit
Nenagh Hospital, Tyone, Nenagh, Tipperary, E45 PT86
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm
Service Available To: This injury unit is for anyone age 5 and older
Phone: 067 423 11
Roscommon Injury Unit
Roscommon University Hospital, Athlone Road, Roscommon, F42 AX61
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 8pm
Service Available To: Adults and children aged 5 and older
Phone: 090 663 2212
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