ShannonDoc confirms details of out-of-hours GP services in Clare over Christmas

SHANNONDOC, the out-of-hours GP service, has taken on extra staff in order to boost operations at its operations across the region over the Christmas and new year period.

The service,  which has centres in Ennis, Ennistymon, Kilrush, Milltown Malbay and Shannon has taken on 20% extra personnel on top of its normal level over the festive season which is expected to be busier than normal.

This comprises doctors, nurses and call-centre operators.

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The service says this means it will have 50% more staff on duty than it did during Christmas 2021, when Ireland was still under the shadow of Covid-19.

ShannonDoc says it will provide full cover, on an appointment-only basis, on Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day.

Normal GP service will resume on Wednesday, December 2 through to close of business on Friday, December 29.

At that point, ShannonDoc will take over again during the new year holiday, through to Tuesday, January 2 when normal GP practice hours resume.

ShannonDoc is reminding users that it operates strictly by appointment only and is not a walk-in service. Those who require urgent medical care should call 0818 123 500. Patients who require emergency medical attention should attend their nearest Emergency Department (ED) or phone 999 or 112.

Dr Ailish Kenny, who chairs ShannonDoc said: "Last year ShannonDoc prepared like never before for Christmas, putting 30% more resources in place than the previous Christmas when the service had sufficient capacity to cater for the throughput. Despite that, an unprecedented surge crippled pretty much the entire national primary care health service, from GP out-of-hours to the emergency departments, with the ShannonDoc switchboard receiving 12,500 calls on one day alone."

Chief executive Peter Clarke added: "We are heading into the busiest period of the year for out-of-hours service because GP practices are closed for much of the holidays. So, at this time of year we would ask the public to be patient with the service. We’ve worked closely with the HSE to mitigate the impact any surge would cause but we do ask for the public’s understanding.

"People will get an appointment much quicker at ShannonDoc this Christmas than they would with the vast majority of GP practices in urban areas. It’s a superb offering, with superb people working for it and we’re confident we’re ready for what’s coming this Christmas," he added.

Mr Clarke said it's important the public only contact ShannonDoc for genuine urgent cases, such as conditions which have severe pain, injuries, sudden illnesses or any other health issues that cannot wait until the next GP practice day.

ShannonDoc can be contacted on 0818-123500 or on 061-459500.