4,780 contacted NEDOC over Christmas and New Year

More than 4,700 people contacted the out of hours GP service over Christmas and New Year as Covid and other respiratory infections remained widespread in the community.

NEDOC received 4,780 calls during that time and GPs managed 3,500 of these through in-person consultations in the centres, home visits and GP phone consultations.

During the Christmas weekend, the service managed 2,450 calls, with 1,860 patients managed by GP consultation, while 580 needed only nurse advice. The New Year weekend had an additional 2,000 patients make contact with NEDOC, of whom 1,500 were managed by GP consultation and 500 managed by nurse advice.

According to Operations Manager, Arlene Fitzsimons there continues to be high levels of respiratory infection in the wider population, much of which can be managed with self-care advice.

"Patients are advised to check self-care advice on www.hse.ie/winter. However do make contact with your GP if symptoms are worsening.

"NEDOC has returned to managing the vast majority of patient consultations on a face-to-face basis, rather than by phone which had been the primary method of consultation during the pandemic. "Phone consultations continue to be provided to patients who test positive for Covid to avoid potential spread of infection amongst other patients. Patients should continue to be wary of Covid, which continues to be prevalent in the community," she said.