Doctor-on-Call service advising public to stock up on medical essentials for Christmas

Households should ensure regular prescriptions are filled by their own surgery in advance of Christmas and that first aid boxes are well stocked to treat minor ailments at home.

That's the advice of NEDOC - the North East Docotor on Call service which is predicting a very busy Christmas period. They are advising people to have over the counter medications such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, Calpol, diarolyte and a thermometer to hand.

The NEDOC service is available to patients of participating practices when their own surgery closes in the evening and whose care cannot wait until their own GP surgery re-opens.

"NEDOC expects to be extremely busy over Christmas and New Year and patients will face delays getting through to the service at peak times, waiting for a call back or have a longer wait time for an appointment, and patients should also expect delays in seeing a GP," says Operations Manager, Arlene Fitzsimons. Ms Fitzsimons stressed that NEDOC is not a walk -in service and is by appointment only for those who are seriously unwell, and whose care cannot wait until your own GP surgery re-opens.

"NEDOC is also not a routine service for patients who have not registered with a local GP," she said.

The service can be contacted by calling 1800 777 911.

NEDOC will operate from 6pm Friday 22nd December to 8am Wednesday 27th December, from 6pm Wednesday 27th December to 8am Thursday 28th, from 6pm Thursday 28th to 8am Friday 29th December 2023 and from 6pm Friday 29th December to 8am Tuesday 2nd January 2024.

"Patients should also remember that GP surgeries will be open as normal until Friday 22nd December, and again from Wednesday 27th - Friday 29th 2023 inclusive. Patients should check the opening times of their own GP surgery.

"Patients and families are advised to take steps such as having regular prescriptions filled by their own surgery in advance of Christmas and checking their first aid boxes are well stocked to treat minor ailments at home without having to contact NEDOC. They should have paracetamol, ibuprofen, Calpol, diarolyte and a thermometer."

Patients should also check the HSE website www.undertheweather.ie or www.hse.ie/winter for useful advice on common illnesses like colds, coughs, flu, earache and sore throats.

In terms of advanced care planning, if you are caring for someone that is terminally ill, you should have medicines that are recommended by your Palliative Care team or GP for situations that could arise.

A lot of respiratory illnesses are likely to occur in children over Christmas, most of these illnesses can be managed at home with over-the-counter medications. Good advice on self-care is available from www.undertheweather.ie. However, NEDOC should be contacted in the case of children whose condition deteriorates following home measures or who are very lethargic or experiencing difficulties.

Ms Fitzsimons points out that NEDOC is not a replacement for urgent dental needs, and patients with dental issues should contact their own dental surgery for opening hours and for emergency consultations over Christmas and New Year.

Minor Injury Units are operational over Christmas for broken bones, sprains, minor burns and other non-life-threatening injuries. Check here for more details.