Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Emergency department doctors in Dublin are now making house calls for elderly patients

The service is running seven days a week, from 8am to 6pm.

DOCTORS AT TWO Dublin hospitals have launched a house call service for elderly patients who may be reluctant to attend the emergency department due to Covid-19. 

The service, which is voluntarily run by ten doctors and two occupational therapists, includes a full medical and targeted functional assessment, operating seven days a week from 8am to 6pm in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service.

Older people in the catchment of St Vincent’s and St Michael’s – stretching from Dublin city centre to north Wexford -  can have an emergency department doctor or occupational therapist visit their home once they’ve been referred to the service by a GP, nursing home, or emergency services. 

“Instead of them coming to us, we’re going to them,” Dr Rosa McNamara, Emergency Medicine Consultant at St Vincent’s told TheJournal.ie. 

She says many patients are reluctant to visit an emergency department at the moment so the service not only offers them enormous peace of mind but it’s also allowing people the chance to be cared for at home whenever possible. 

The service first started back in February on a weekend-only basis after Dr McNamara and her colleagues noticed that a lot of older people in rural areas were having difficulties accessing normal community health services at the weekends. 

“A lot of old people, who might have a minor injury or need a basic assessment, inevitably end up calling an ambulance because they’ve no other option,” said McNamara. 

“And so the service then developed so that we will always have a senior doctor and an occupational therapist in the car to be able to do joint medical and functional assessments for frail older people.

The kinds of things they’re doing I suppose is typical work in some ways for emergency departments. We’ve seen lots of people who’ve had falls and are afraid to come into hospital, so it’s allowing them to stay at home. 

The service, which expanded to a seven-day a week service a couple of days ago, also caters to nursing homes in the catchment area who need a hand or particular supports until their own GP or medical officer is available. 

“Sometimes there’s too much to do for one person, so we’re trying to support where we can,” Dr McNamara said. 

“The reality is, some of our GP colleagues are so stretched at the moment that they can’t guarantee they’ll be able to review patients within a day or two. We’ll try and pick them up to bridge the gap.” 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
8 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marianne
    Favourite Marianne
    Report
    Apr 16th 2020, 5:10 PM

    Well done to all ten doctors thank you one and all

    195
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute MiseBean
    Favourite MiseBean
    Report
    Apr 16th 2020, 5:17 PM

    Wonderful people. Thank you.

    104
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ann Moynihan
    Favourite Ann Moynihan
    Report
    Apr 16th 2020, 5:19 PM

    It would be great if it was a more widespread option. Well done though. You guys are brilliant !

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Barry
    Favourite Alan Barry
    Report
    Apr 16th 2020, 5:17 PM

    I understand something similar has been in place for several months in Cork in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service, and has been hugely successful in treating at home/avoiding trips to hospitals. Great job!

    80
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seagoat returns
    Favourite Seagoat returns
    Report
    Apr 16th 2020, 6:58 PM

    Not only are they national hero’s but they are going above and beyond to support a particularly vulnerable group in our community. Incredible efforts and inspiring during these hard times. It is a sad reflection on the negative readers of the journal that this article has hardly been read or commented on, instead people would rather continue to question testing figures and play politics with this situation.

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Osman
    Favourite Jane Osman
    Report
    Apr 16th 2020, 7:14 PM

    Thank you thank you

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jane Osman
    Favourite Jane Osman
    Report
    Apr 16th 2020, 7:14 PM

    Thank you! ❤️

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Red Pirate 71
    Favourite Red Pirate 71
    Report
    Apr 18th 2020, 10:35 AM

    This has been happening for years, since 2007 actually. Until it was shit down by the Hse. It was called hospital in the home. It was then taken over by the Vhi who now call it hostile at home. This isn’t news.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds