Southdoc to double its doctor numbers as flu cases surge 

In preparation for the ongoing surge, Southdoc is increasing available appointment slots. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

Southdoc, the out-of-hours GP service for Cork and Kerry, is doubling its doctor numbers for the next five weekends as fears grow that health services could struggle to cope with rising flu levels over Christmas.

The number of calls to Southdoc over the last two weeks was 15% higher than this time last year amid rapidly rising flu cases.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has warned that flu has hit Ireland “fast and hard” and will add enormous strain to the already-stretched public hospital system.

Dr Peadar Gilligan, a member of the consultant committee of the IMO, said: “The flu has come early and is accelerating in terms of the number of cases presenting to general practice and emergency departments.

“There was a doubling of cases over the course of the last two weeks reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre. The number of people hospitalised with influenza is in excess of 500 currently and is projected to exceed 1,000 in the coming weeks.

"In real terms, that means the equivalent of two large hospitals in a system hugely challenged by the lack of hospital beds. To date, nine people have died from influenza in Ireland this flu season, all but one of whom were over 65 years of age."

Southdoc medical director and Killarney GP, Dr Gary Stack, said worries are now growing about the high numbers locally.

“From November 21 to December 4, we had 8,425 calls. The previous fortnight, we had 7,297 calls. That’s a 15% increase,” he said. “It’s also a 15% increase on the same weeks last year.

“The flu normally peaks around Christmas week, but the figures are higher already this year.

“So is it peaking earlier, or is it going to continue to rise over Christmas? That’s the concern.”

While covid and RSV numbers remain low, GPs are seeing a significantly higher number of flu cases in every out-of-hours centre.

“It’s not too late to get vaccinated,” Dr Stack said.

He strongly advises people to get flu jabs now so they will be protected for the Christmas period.

"There is still time. There is almost three weeks left, so you would have protection for Christmas — that’s when there’s huge interaction between people."

In preparation for the ongoing surge, Southdoc is increasing available appointment slots.

Dr Stack added: “For the next five weekends and the fortnight of the Christmas and new year period, we’ve increased our cover by 50%.”

This includes GPs, nursing staff, call-takers, and other support staff at all the larger centres, including Killarney, Tralee, Cork City, Midleton, and Fermoy.

“Call wait times have come down significantly and appointment waiting times have significantly reduced due to the reorganisation within the service,” he said.

The latest national figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre show 418 people in hospitals with flu at the start of December.

New cases had reached 1,977, up from just 906 the week before. Outside of this, 56 people were in hospital with covid.