Public urged to stay well, warm and out of A&E

THE public are to be told to stay healthy, stay warm and above all, stay away, in an attempt to prevent a worsening of the A&E crisis over the peak winter months.

The key focus of the Winter Plan announced by the Health Service Executive is on keeping patients out of A&E by encouraging them to take better care of their own health and make better use of GP and other community-based services.

A major immunisation programme against flu will begin on October 10, targeted chiefly at the over 65s, people with chronic medical conditions and all HSE staff.