Illnesses and injuries can happen at any time of the year.
That is why doctors and other health professionals have to work during the times the rest of us have off. It is an unfortunate fact about the profession, but one that most medical professionals accept before they embark on their training.
That being said, if you are working as a local general practitioner in Ireland, you probably have more favourable hours than a doctor working within a hospital who may have to work nights or even be on call throughout the day.
This is an advantage that is especially noticeable around the holiday period, when hospital doctors are still taking on regular shifts.
Most GPs’ offices are closed in the days around Christmas and New Years’ Day. Some even close from the 23rd of December until early January.
Of course, there are exceptions.
For instance, if you are working as an out-of-hours GP. As you can probably guess by their moniker, these doctors work outside of normal GP hours. There are also some excellent opportunities for locum doctors in and around the holiday period.
As the festive period nears, below is a quick outline of what you can expect as a GP at Christmas.
Working Hours
There are nine public holidays in Ireland and three of them fall within the festive period.
They are Christmas Day (December 25th), St Stephen’s Day (December 26th) and New Years’ Day (January 1st).
Generally speaking, GPs’ offices are not open during these days and many GPs choose not to open on the 23rd, reopening on the 27th or 28th and close again on the New Years’ Eve, to reopen on the second of January. Of course this date may vary depending on how the days falls in that year.
These dates vary greatly, depending on the type of surgery and also the management behind it. You will find GP surgeries, especially in large urban areas, that are open for appointments outside of regular hours throughout these dates.
During the holidays and when GPs are not available, the public will contact the local Out of Hours GP (OOH GP) services which covers their area if there is an issue. There are different OOH GPs in different areas. You can find your local service here.
If you are working in a regular GP surgery in the lead up to Christmas, you can expect it to be busier than normal. This is due to patients trying to sort prescriptions and get seen for their ailments prior to the office being closed for the holidays.
With it being winter, there are also more seasonal illnesses to deal with and the cold weather can also affect some chronic diseases. You are likely to encounter more patients who have colds and flus at this time of year.
You many also notice an increase in younger children attending your practice as schools around this time of year can be particularly problematic when it comes to bugs and colds doing the rounds.
Of course, the busy period in the lead up to Christmas has been further magnified by the covid situation. Covid has thrown a lot of unknowns at many GP’s this year and could also cause some issues around Christmas time too.
Out of Hours GP Services
There are currently 15 OOH GP services in the country.
The HSE has estimated that these services receive over a million calls every year, with many of these calls obviously falling around the festive period when normal GPs are on leave. Of course, they also take a huge number of calls at evenings and weekends. It is a service that can be quite busy, so it is essential that it is used correctly by the public and only when it’s seriously required.
To ensure that the service is not put under too much pressure, the OOH GP services generally urge patients to plan ahead each festive period. It also asks them to book routine matters through their regular GP for when they are open and it also requests that they use online resources for minor issues.
They also ask patients to ensure that they have all the necessary medication in place prior to their local GP closing for Christmas. They also recommend having a sufficient supply of medicine cabinet essentials and to only contact the service for urgent or immediate needs.
Last year, this service was referring patients with symptoms for covid tests. However, this has now changed, with those presenting symptoms now able to self-refer to test centres. Overall, this change has taken some of the strain off GPs.
The OOH GP provides an incredibly important service that helps support the work load of GP’s throughout the year, but especially at Christmas.
Covid Christmas
With daily covid case numbers in the thousands, this year’s festive period is going to have a covid heavy focus.
Guidelines have been distributed to GP surgeries around dealing with the virus, with a special emphasis on both hygiene and safety. Patients are generally being asked to call ahead to create an appointment, rather than arriving into the surgery unannounced.
Over the past 20 months, GPs have worked to make their offices as safe as possible in an attempt to reduce the spreading of the virus. The precautions in place include extra PPE, a changing of previous systems to more covid friendly ones and extra hygiene measures.
It has been a difficult time and one which looks like it will continue into this festive period and beyond. Unfortunately, covid isn’t just a problem for Christmas, but one that looks like it is going to be a part of our lives for some time going forward.
Mental Health around the holidays
The holidays are a difficult time for many and that is an issue which has been heightened by the pandemic. Over the past 21 months, covid has been a constant in all of our lives and it has been draining.
That is especially true for healthcare staff. Covid fatigue is a real thing and it can be difficult when there is so much being written and said about the disease.
The Christmas period can be difficult on its own for some people and covid is making it even harder, so it is important that we all look after our mental health this holiday season.
Of course, as a GP, you are likely to be the first port of call for anyone who is struggling during the holidays. And as we have previously stated, it can be an incredibly difficult time for some. This is also due in part to increased substance abuse during the festive period.
The HSE offers a guide on wellbeing during this time of year, which is available here.
It suggests that we should place an emphasis on realistic expectations, compassion, and empathy. However, it also states that we should also seek professional help if they need it.
GPs should also be aware of their own mental health at this time of year.
Working as a doctor can be a stressful job and one where burnout can become apparent. The Medical Council has a Doctor Wellbeing booklet which offers useful guides and resources for GPs.
One key bit of advice reads: “Practitioners can go through difficult periods in their lives and may experience stress, burnout, depression, anxiety or other conditions such as alcohol or drug misuse. Seeking confidential medical help is the most appropriate way to deal with these conditions.”
Leverage your resources around you if you need extra help and take some down time during the Christmas holiday to unwind with family and friends. There is plenty to do in Ireland during Christmas and here are just a few of suggestions.
Ireland At Christmas
Ireland is an amazing country at Christmas, with festivities ranging from beautiful Christmas markets to wonderful shopping experiences and much more.
Of course, this year is a little different from others with the pandemic, but there is still plenty on offer.
The Christmas market in Galway’s Eyre Square is a sight to behold, while just walking through Dublin and enjoying the festive lights is enough to get anyone in the festive mood.
Cork has a wonderful ice-skating experience in Fota Wildlife Park, while there are other excellent activities to enjoy throughout the country. In fact, just taking a walk in your locality and experiencing the crisp air can be an incredibly enjoyable experience in Ireland during December.
This year, some festivities may be muted, but that doesn’t mean that the Christmas spirit has to be lessened.
Being a GP at Christmas
Working as a GP in the lead up to Christmas can be a fast paced, hectic experience.
However, it is also a rewarding one as you are helping people just before they set off for their own holiday experience. As a GP, you are a pillar of your community and the first point of healthcare for those within it.
With covid, this Christmas is going to be different, but that is not to say that it won’t be enjoyable. As a GP, it is essential that you use your downtime to recharge your batteries, so that you can return to work in 2022 as an even more energised doctor.
There is an abundance of great ways to enjoy Ireland at Christmas. If you’re interested in become a GP in Ireland feel free to check out our wide range of jobs here.
If you have any questions about anything GP related please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team.