Children’s hospitals under pressure from early arrival of seasonal bugs

The overstretched hospitals in Temple Street, Crumlin, and Tallaght are all trying to manage an influx of children suffering from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other seasonal viruses that can cause bronchiolitis.

Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) confirmed to the Irish Independent that the three hospitals are seeing a significant increase in the number of young children and infants presenting to their emergency departments, as well as to the urgent care unit in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, due to a rise in seasonal respiratory illness and viruses.

“The children’s hospitals are extremely busy, with winter levels of activity being experienced since September,” the spokeswoman said.

Some parents in the crowded Temple Street emergency department were reportedly being told today to leave their buggies in another room and hold their child in their arms to make space.

A spokeswoman for CHI said: “We are managing increased demand on services, within a Covid setting, with very challenging infrastructure in some of our hospitals and the added challenge of reduced staffing levels due to illness.

“In order to safely manage all patients in the emergency departments and urgent care units, and to avoid overcrowding as much as possible, families of children with minor and less urgent complaints are advised to see their GP or out-of-hours service and local pharmacy first.”

The rush happens annually – but this year it is affecting hospitals earlier. The circulation of the viruses is being partly attributed to the relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions compared to last autumn and winter, which were mostly spent in lockdown.

It means people are circulating more and children have less immunity.

The CHI spokeswoman said: “Our advice for any parent or guardian whose child or infant who gets flu-like symptoms is they should stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and use over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol to ease flu symptoms.

“If parents are worried about their child, they should attend their nearest emergency department – but children needing emergency or urgent care will be seen first, and families may experience long wait times.”

RSV is a virus that usually causes bronchiolitis, though other viruses are sometimes the cause.

Almost all children will have an infection caused by RSV by the time they are two.

It causes around 75pc of cases of bronchiolitis. Parents and guardians are being advised to look up the HSE’s Undertheweather.ie for advice.