Tag Archives: Dr Michael Kelleher

A CLARE GP is supporting calls for people to wear masks in public places in a bid to reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses, which has resulted in increased admissions to local surgeries and University Hospital Limerick. Dr Michael Kelleher estimates presentations to his practice has gone up by up to 20% over the last four weeks due to the surge in RSV, Covid-19 and influenza. The Lahinch doctor recalled mask wearing was a very effective measure during peak Covid-19 surges and should again be repeated in the midst of a significant hike in respiratory illnesses. “There is evidence that wearing a mask reduces droplet transmission. In the midst of a surge in respiratory illnesses, I think wearing masks in public places might be perfectly reasonable, particularly if you are a vulnerable individual. “Wearing a mask protects a person you are in close contact with more than yourself. It does make sense. If there was more mask wearing in public, …

A NORTH Clare family doctor is encouraging people to wear face masks in public places as four electoral divisions have recorded a 14-day incidence rate higher than the national average. Dr Michael Kelleher made the plea this week after official figures revealed there were 469 cases of Covid-19 in the Ennis Local Electoral Area (LEA) from March 1 to March 14. This translates into a 14-day incidence rate of 1,517, which is much higher than the national average of 1,188. The incidence of the virus was also high in the Shannon LEA where 445 cases were recorded during the same period, giving an incidence rate of 1,464 per 100,000. There were 265 case the Kilrush LEA where the incidence rate was 1,262. The Ennistymon LEA recorded 248 cases, which translates into an incidence rate of 1,511. Killaloe was the only LEA to record an incidence rate of 994 below the national average after the detection of 200 cases. Dr Kelleher …

MORE than 17,000 first doses of vaccines against Covid-19 have been delivered by vaccinators in the Mid-West, according to official figures. The UL Hospitals’ Group vaccination programme resumed administering the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the Mid-West Vaccination Centre in the Radisson Blu on Sunday, March 21. Up to close of business on Sunday March 21st, ovaccinators had delivered a total of 17,167 first doses, and 5,248 second doses of Covid-19 vaccine. The group’s Vaccination Programme has been rolled out to healthcare workers across the Mid-West, including staff from the group, HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare, the National Ambulance Service, and staff and residents of some nursing home facilities. It has also included patients at very high risk of illness associated with Covid-19, of whom some 699 received their Dose 1 vaccinations on Sunday. Colette Cowan, Chief Executive Officer, UL Hospitals’ Group, said staff are privileged to be part of this mass vaccination programme and noted it is a great boost to …

FAMILY doctors are braced for a challenging winter, with pressure already coming on the service just weeks after children returned to school. Already a number of primary classes have had to be suspended temporarily and at least one national school closed due to Covid-19. There is also said to be considerable confusion over what kind of symptoms should raise red flags over attendance at school. “When it comes to the public health guidelines, it seems that the advice from every source is to contact your GP,” said Dr Máire Finn of the Centric Medical Centre. “Given the pressures the service is under, we can’t be the only port of call. We are getting a large number of people with questions over whether or not children should be going to school and sometimes, we just can’t answer them. I can foresee a situation where the whole winter is taken up with people keeping kids off school when they should be in, …

THE use of remote consulting has become more important for Clare’s family doctors during the current Covid-19 pandemic. While remote consulting will not work for every patient, Doctor Michael Kelleher has acknowledged it is very beneficial to be able to see a patient on video and establish whether they are unwell and discuss their concerns. “Covid-19 has forced doctors to use remote consulting in a way you don’t have much choice but to use it. It is a very welcome development but it has its limitations. “It is very useful in scenarios where a doctor and a patient know each other very well and where the consultation doesn’t need a hands-on examination. “It is very useful for reviewing patients you have already seen them, know them very well and have their medical record, which in most cases is electronic. “There is a big difference between a doctor dealing with a patient he knows well remotely compared to logging on to …