The Irish Examiner is reporting that medical professionals have warned that the HSE could buckle under the pressure of the latest flu epidemic and that the country is about two to three weeks away from reaching the ‘peak’ of it all.
Despite all this, Liam Woods of the HSE has said that the system can cope even though it’s under severe pressure.
“Hospitals will not turn people away, hospitals will continue to operate.”
General Secretary for the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), Phil Ní Sheaghdha, wants to meet with the HSE urgently so that a plan can be put in place for the worst possible outcome.
“What I am trying to determine from [the HSE] is what they are going to do, if, God forbid, the flu epidemic takes a hold in a way that we just couldn’t cope with.
“I am just not sure that the HSE have a plan. We have to be assured that they do, in fact, have one,” she concluded
Lovin got in touch with the HSE to discuss the issues surrounding the latest flu epidemic and was told that people should read this statement on their website which outlines what to do to prevent the flu or how to care for it when it strikes.
This news comes after people were urged to get the flu vaccine on Monday and more information about the high-risk groups who need to receive the vaccine can be found here.
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