All patients are requested to make appointments to see their GPs and not to attend in person at a surgery without an appointment.
GPs will take particular precautions in consultations with patients with acute respiratory symptoms to ensure safety for both patients, GPs and their staff.
- Public asked to help protect GPs and their staff so they can continue to provide care to patients.
- Public asked to go to www.hse.ie for detailed and up-to-date advice on helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The Irish College of General Practitioners has asked patients not to attend their GP practice or out-of-hours service without an appointment. GPs may not be able to facilitate “walk-in visits” in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection to GPs, staff and other patients in the practice.
Dr Mary Favier, President of the ICGP, said “We are requesting the public to help us keep frontline healthcare staff as safe as possible from the COVID-19 virus. We know that the cases of community transmission are increasing and therefore we are asking that particularly those people with acute respiratory symptoms e.g. fever, cough, shortness of breath, or flu-like symptoms to contact their GP practice in advance, and take advice from the staff there.”
Dr Nuala O’Connor, Lead Adviser on COVID- 19 with the ICGP said: “The Irish College of General Practitioners would like to remind the public that any patient who has been to, or in contact with, someone who has been to an affected area and has symptoms, including a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, should not go to their GP surgery, A&E department, or Out-of-Hours Co-op, but stay at home and call their GP or Out-of-Hours service. Those without a GP, or in an emergency, should call 112 or 999.”
Dr O’Connor added: ”The key to stopping the spread of the virus continues to be regular handwashing and covering your mouth and nose with a tissue or the bend of your elbow when coughing or sneezing to prevent the spread of infection and to keep hands away from your face.”
Dr O’Connor further stated “Illness due to COVID-19 infection is generally mild, especially for children and young adults. However, it can cause serious illness; about 1 in every 5 people who catch it may need supportive care . It is quite normal for people to worry about how the COVID-19 outbreak will affect them and their loved ones.”
“Keep informed and follow the advice on www.hse.ie including any restrictions put in place on travel, movement and gatherings. For travel advice go to www.dfa.ie” , Dr O’Connor added.
Dr Favier said: “GPs will continue to look after our regular patients who have ongoing and acute illness, and we will continue to do so with the assistance of our dedicated staff.”
The best source of information for the public on all aspects of coronavirus is the HSE website www.hse.ie
Further information available on the HSE website https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html#Protect-yourself
ISSUED BY: Aileen O’Meara, Communications Consultant ICGP.
Tel. 01 2542984 / 087 2239830 Email: media@icgp.ie
MEDIA INTERVIEWS: The ICGP has a number of GPs available for media interviews who are fully informed on the latest developments regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) in Ireland.
NOTE TO EDITORS The Irish College of General Practitioners is the professional training body for general practice in Ireland. As the professional membership body the Irish College of General Practitioners supports its members to deliver healthcare of the highest possible standard to patients and communities. College advocates for an Irish healthcare system where general practice is central to providing excellence in continuing personal care for all.
There are over 3,800 members and associate members in Ireland. ENDS