HSE urges the public to consider all options when it comes to seeking medical treatment over Easter

The HSE has issued the usual set of guidelines to the general public entering into the Bank Holiday Weekend. The Health Service Executive is asking people to consider all care options before presenting to a hospital emergency department this weekend. Bank Holiday weekends can be extremely busy in some Emergency Departments as a result patients with non-urgent injuries are being warned that they could face longer waiting times if A&Es become busy or overcrowded. The response by the HSE criticised by local elected representatives in the past. Manorhamilton based  Councillor and member of the Regional Health Forum West, Felim Gurn in the past accused the HSE of failing to adequately plan for dealing with an emergency at any of the local events which will be running from Easter onwards  The HSE are offering assurances that plans are in place at all hospitals to support high attendances over the bank holiday. National Director of HSE Access and Integration, Grace Rothwell, says there may be more suitable options for some patients: