ShannonDoc has appealed for public understanding over the Christmas period due to unprecedented numbers presenting to the service.
The out-of-hours GP service covers Clare, Limerick and Tipperary and larger numbers again are anticipated in the coming week, with a warning to patients that there’s the potential for lengthy delays.
It’s a busy time for the out of hours GP service in the Midwest, with last weekend alone seeing a record 1,900 patients presenting to Shannondoc.
Additional resources have been put in place but Shannondoc has said that it expects patient numbers to increase considerably again over the Christmas period.
This will, it said, put pressure on the service and it warned the public of potential lengthy delays at peak times.
ShannonDoc is asking the public to bear with its staff over the coming days, as they deal with the excessive numbers, to allow them process all admissions.
Patients are advised to visit their own GP, if it is a routine matter, and never to attend ShannonDoc without an appointment.
In an urgent but non-emergency care issue, people can contact their local ShannonDoc service to schedule an appointment for as soon as possible.
