Doctor-On-Call service used by 5,187 patients over Christmas 

A MASSIVE 5,187 patients contacted the North East Doctor on Call Service (NEDoC) over the Christmas period and a whopping 3,258 patients were seen by doctors in what has proved a very busy Christmas season.
The Saturday and Sunday 21st and 22nd December was by far the busiest period with 1,856 calls to the service and 1,089 patients being seen by a doctor, while the period from Christmas Eve to 27th December saw 1,400 calls managed and 890 patients seen in the treatment centres in Dunshaughlin, Drogheda, Cavan and Castleblaney.
The Dunshaughlin clinic, which takes patients from all over Meath managed 1,132 calls from Friday 20th to Monday 30th December and saw 964 patients.
“We were really very busy and we had maximum rostering. All of the doctors in the North East Region were rostered over the break,” Arlene Fitzsimons NEDoC Operations Manager said.
“It was helped by the fact that the local practices were open on the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas and again on Friday 27th, as well as Monday and Tuesday this week.”
“The call centre in Ardee was exceptionally busy, but we saw 63 per cent of callers in the treatment centres.
“It was mainly viral illnesses. There has been a lot of flu and other viral illnesses as well as stomach upsets and there were some patients that had to be referred to the Emergency Department,” she said.
Ms Fitzsimons pointed out that they also provided home visits to infirm patients and those receiving palliative and end of life care.
NEDoC provides urgent out-of-hours GP care for patients of participating practices in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Meath and Louth when surgeries close in the evening and over the course of weekends and public holidays.
Because of the hue surge in demand, particularly during the hours of 6 - 8 pm in the evenings and Saturday and Sunday mornings, callers to the service are asked to be patient, and calls will be answered.
Patients must have an appointment to be seen in the service. Patients who walk into a centre without an appointment will be asked to ring 18540 777911 to arrange and appointment.
“NEDOC is an urgent service for acutely unwell patients. Routine illnesses should be managed by your own daytime GP surgery,” Ms Fitzsimons points out.
Patients should also check out www.undertheweather.ie and www.mychild.ie for advice on the management of routine illnesses such as coughs, colds, earache, flu, temperature, sore throat and upset stomach.
If your condition deteriorates ring NEDOC on 1850 777 911 and in a emergency, please ring 112/999.