The number of people requiring community care or hospitalisation for influenza has been increasing rapidly over the winter period, with more than 1,000 people admitted as of New Year’s Eve. GP out-of-hours services, GP surgeries, ambulance services, hospital emergency departments, and inpatient services are all feeling the effects of respiratory illnesses, particularly influenza, this season.
HSE Chief Executive Bernard Gloster said that “staff and systems are responding and managing very well”, but acknowledged that healthcare is “under pressure”, as viral respiratory infection rates continue to rise.
“The overall patient flow system is moving better than last year, and the healthcare system is focusing on every lever to keep the patient flow system moving and keep everyone safe,” Mr Gloster added.
A significant number of GP practices in Ireland are offering additional opening hours and the number of people using the GP out-of-hours service has increased by over 45 per cent in some areas compared to the same period last year.
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