2024

Measles Alert

There has been a massive rise in measles cases in the UK and Europe and a confirmed case in Ireland with one man dying. Measles is a highly contagious disease. Due to low vaccination rates with MMR, many teenagers and adults, as well as young children, are at risk. Free MMR vaccines are now available if you are born after 1978 or moved to Ireland after 1978.

Ring 061705000 if: you think you did not get 2 doses of MMR in the past OR

If your baby aged 6-12 months is travelling to an area with an outbreak OR

If your baby is 12 months and not yet had their MMR

See HSE website for measles symptoms https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/measles/If you think you/your child has measles stay home, isolate, and ring the surgery (061705000) for advice.

Can I get a letter to be referred to a Hospital Emergency Department (ED) without seeing a doctor?

If the triage nurse/doctor deems it medically necessary for you to go straight to ED without being seen by a doctor you will not be issued with a letter.  You will be advised by the receptionist or the medical staff to proceed directly.  In  many cases any delay would not be safe and may put you/your relative’s life at risk.  We do not take any responsibility if you choose not to accept the advice of staff in this matter.

A letter is only given at the time of consultation in a treatment centre or during a home visit when you have been seen by a doctor.  If a doctor is unavailable for your particular symptoms or complaint within what the medical staff consider a safe time frame, then you will be advised to attend the hospital ED or LIU as appropriate.

We do not have any involvement in ED charges, practices and procedures and any issues that you have in this regard must be dealt with by the hospital.