GPs working flat out of Covid related calls rise
Local GPs are working flat out and some have warned the health service could be overwhelmed as Meath had the highest number of new cases of Covid-19 reported yesterday (Tuesday.)
Meath had 221 new cases confirmed yesterday on a day that health officials reported a further 13 recent deaths in Ireland from Covid -19.
The death toll now stands at 1,865.
It has been confirmed that all 13 have been recent deaths.
An additional 1,269 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in Ireland yesterday and the total number of cases is now at 52,256.
Dr Marie Scully of the Abbey House Medical Centre in Navan said that as the numbers increase there is a real worry that health services this winter will be almost overwhelmed.
“Everyone needs to play their part - reduce social contacts, wear a mask, wash your hands and observe social distancing.
“At present this is the only known way to reduce spread of this virus.”
She said the last few weeks have been exceptionally busy. “We are dealing with large numbers of calls related to possible Covid symptoms.
“It is as busy as the first few weeks of Covid back last March - but testing then was overwhelmed and became restricted to those with specific symptoms. Now everyone is being tested so this is possibly the busiest I have ever seen in practice.
“Our phone systems are incredibly busy and so we are directing patients to use our email address also if they cannot get through - info@abbeymedical.ie
“We also have the flu vaccines to manage and this now includes the new children’s nasal flu vaccine. We did a special flu clinic last Saturday in order to deal with the numbers, and are also doing evening flu clinics on Tuesday and Thursday this week.”
Dr Scully said another concern is that the number of vaccines we are being given from HSE is not enough to meet the demand.
“We cannot forget all the other acute and chronic illnesses that we also have to deal with, and which have not gone away. Increased waiting times for hospital care as a result of the shutdown of services earlier in the year is causing problems for patients and many outpatient clinics are taking place now virtually with telephone calls, which may not be ideal.
“Mental health issues such as anxiety are increasing as well as depression due to social isolation especially in the elderly,” she said.
Dr Seamus Mc Menamin of the Bedford Medical Centre said they were extremely busy and the number of calls continue to rise every day.
“A big concern is that the phone lines are so busy people may not be able to get through, so we are asking people to use the email system if they can.”
Arlene Fitzsimons of North East Doctors on Call said they have been working flat out and there has been a rise of over 20 per cent in the number of calls since August.