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THE NUMBER OF people with influenza and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) doubled over the course of last week, according to the HSE.
The HSE has said it expects that upward trend in the number of RSV and flu cases to continue until the end of the month.
A combined total of almost 2,000 cases of Covid-19, RSV and influenza have been notified in the past week, the health service said. This has led to significant increases in the number of people presenting at emergency departments with those illnesses.
“The impact of flu circulating in the community has a direct impact on the capacity of health services, both in hospitals and in primary and community care settings,” the HSE said in a statement.
The CEO of the HSE Bernard Gloster said over 600 people were hospitalised in the last week due to Covid, flu and RSV.
“When this is added to the usual demand placed on the health service, it brings significant pressure on the public and healthcare staff,” he said.
“People can expect to see all access points to healthcare under pressure over the next few weeks.”
Gloster added that older people and the young are most vulnerable, followed by those with underlying conditions.
“Covid-19 has been relatively stable, and RSV in older children is clearly significant,” Gloster said.
“The good news is that the number of cases of RSV among infants (less than 3 months) has sharply decreased since the HSE began a vaccination programme for newborns.
“Only 24 babies were hospitalised with RSV since the vaccination programme started, a significant fall from the 413 cases in the same period last year- this is a reminder of the importance of progressive vaccination programmes.’’
The HSE is particularly concerned about Influenza at the moment.
“We expect the week of Christmas and the New Year to see flu cases to be at their highest so far this season, and modelling shows hospitalisations from flu alone to be in the region of 600-900,” the HSE said.
The health service said it expects this Christmas season to be busier than ever, and “this higher demand from patients will create delays getting through to the service at peak times or in waiting for a call back from a triage nurse, and again longer waiting times for an appointment”.
Gloster asked people not to go to an emergency department if they have a mild illness of a condition that is not urgent, adding that other options are available.
“We know that our Emergency Departments will be where people will experience the most delay and pressures. We absolutely want people with an emergency to come to the hospitals and have the service they need,” he said.
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5) Pay them more
Of course if you happen to work for a complete a**ehole who’s constantly looking over his shoulder for potential challengers to humiliate then just go ahead and have a nervous breakdown or else job seekers allowance.
Hard choice that.
When you have a bad manager who doesn’t listen and support you then that stress exacerbates and folks leave or get sick.
If your lucky to get a bonus for exceeding targets…It should be exempt from Tax. You earned it. Mr. Noonan didn’t.
Communication is the most important of all. Communicate direction, motivation, disappointment, operation and inspiration and always remember that there is no project greater than the team you build around you.
Nice idea, but isn’t going to work for most of us, especially if your employer sees you as nothing but a resource (robot), they don’t care that your child is ill, had to arrange child care, or come in sick(no paid time for been off sick) you then infect your colleagues, who then go home sick and miss days!
Good article Peter.
Just bring a large calibre firearm with you into meetings. Its such an easy way deflect questions on days you’re just not ‘in the zone’ or ready to run something ‘up the flagpole to see who’ll salute’. Since I’ve started on the ‘F**k off or I’ll shoot you in the face’ programme my stress levels are now in a very manageable place. Phew!
They are trying to justify their own existence. Their proposals are hardly going to work in an environment of six people employed by , say , a shoe shop, a small firm , a convenience store etc.
Sack lazy sods, they spend too much time gossiping and that does not help employee moral?
Written by David Brent
Have gay marriage, only joking, but it is funny… lol.
Free Arnott’s Tim Tam for all!
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