Galway Bay fm newsroom – A survey conducted by a Galway-based company reveals that 5 per cent of people have attended a hospital Emergency Department with flu-like symptoms, rather than visit their GP.
Healthcare company Alere, based in Parkmore, commissioned the survey of 1,000 people nationwide.
A large number of patients go straight to A&E with flu-like symptoms as they feel that only a hospital can provide them with the urgent treatment they require.
People surveyed also feel that health should be the number one priority for the next government.
The HSE says two contributing factors to overcrowding in Emergency Departments are flu and the winter vomiting bug.
Vice-President of Medical Affairs with Alere, Conor Cronin, says people should attend their GP in the first instance.