A new survey, conducted by Galway-based company Alere, on healthcare in Ireland has found that a large number of patients opt to attend an Emergency Department (ED) rather than a GP, when suffering from influenza symptoms.
Of those surveyed who have attended an ED with flu-like symptoms, over half did so because they feel only a hospital can provide them with the urgent treatment they require.
However, despite this view, over a quarter (28%) of patients waited for 2-5 hours before being seen by a healthcare professional, while 21% waited 6-10 hours.
Only 48% were actually tested for the flu while in ED, and despite the fact that some flu testing kits provide a result in under ten minutes, 43% had to wait over an hour to get the results.
The findings come as Ireland’s EDs have experienced sustained peak levels of attendances since the New Year, with flu and the winter vomiting bug both identified by the HSE as key factors in ED overcrowding. Annually, there are up to 1.1 million attendances across Ireland’s 29 EDs.
The survey, undertaken by Ignite Research on behalf of Alere surveyed a representative sample of 1,000 people across Ireland. The survey focused on respondents’ personal experience of dealing with flu and more widely on their attitudes toward Irish health services.
The survey also revealed that despite the often difficult conditions in EDs, a majority of respondents had a positive experience of health services (51%). Almost 40% of respondents also want the next Government to prioritise investment in health, making it the number one priority over housing, economic recovery and education.
Responding to the survey, Dr. Jayne Ellis, Alere’s Medical Director, Western Europe, said: “Over 1.1 million people a year attend Ireland’s 29 EDs. Our survey reveals 5% of respondents have attended an ED with flu-like symptoms, rather than a GP. This suggests that a large number of patients are still choosing, despite primary care often being more suitable.
“This is having a detrimental effect on already overwhelmed EDs and hospital staff, grappling with limited resources, an ageing population and a growing burden of chronic diseases,” added Dr. Ellis.
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