The Health Service Executive (HSE) is bracing for a challenging healthcare period as respiratory illness cases dramatically increase, with a combined total of nearly 2,000 Covid-19, RSV, and influenza cases reported in the past week.
HSE CEO Bernard Gloster revealed that over 600 people were hospitalized last week due to Covid-19, flu, and RSV, placing significant strain on the healthcare system. The health service expects this trend to continue, with flu cases anticipated to peak during the Christmas and New Year period.
According to The Journal, modeling suggests flu hospitalizations could reach between 600 and 900 cases, adding substantial pressure to already stretched healthcare resources. The HSE warns that patients should expect delays in accessing healthcare services, particularly during peak times.
One bright spot in the health report is the success of the HSE’s RSV vaccination programme for newborns. Gloster highlighted a dramatic reduction in infant RSV hospitalizations, from 413 cases in the same period last year to just 24 this year since the programme’s introduction.
The health service has identified the most vulnerable groups as older people, young children, and those with underlying health conditions. Gloster strongly advised against using emergency departments for mild or non-urgent conditions, emphasizing that these facilities should be reserved for genuine emergencies.
“We absolutely want people with an emergency to come to the hospitals and have the service they need,” Gloster stated. He urged the public to consider alternative healthcare options for less critical health concerns.
The HSE anticipates this Christmas season to be particularly demanding, with potential delays in reaching triage nurses and longer waiting times for appointments. Healthcare professionals are preparing for increased pressure across all access points to the health service.