HSE cancels services in a number of counties due to 'extremely challenging weather conditions'

Ellen O'Donoghue

The bad weather has led to some disruption to HSE services in a number of counties tomorrow, Monday January 6th, due to "extremely challenging weather conditions."

In a statement on Sunday night, the health authority said most services will continue to operate as normal.

Given the hazardous travelling conditions in Cork, Kerry, South Tipperary, Laois and parts of the Mid West, it has cancelled some services in those areas.

These include outpatient appointments and day services.

The HSE said it is providing updates on impacted services here, and will continue to provide regular updates on their national and regional social media channels.

Where possible, it added, teams will make contact directly with those who use day centre services in disability, mental health or older people to advise them of disruptions. Alternatively, families can contact their local day service directly to get an update. milies can contact their local day service directly to get an update.

At this point, there are no disruptions in the West and North West, most of Dublin, and the North East.

 The HSE chief executive, Bernard Gloster, said that any deferred service will be rearragned or rescheduled as quickly as possible.

"We regret any impact this has on our patients and their families however we must do all we can to ensure the safety of those who use our services and our staff. Any cancellations over the coming days are limited to those areas where travel is difficult," he said.

"It is important to say that we are doing all we can to ensure continuity of critical services including ambulance, ED, dialysis, oncology treatment and pre-natal care for expectant mothers. We are also taking steps in affected counties to prioritise people living alone and who need home support or community healthcare visits.

"If you are in any doubt or worried please contact your service, however for the most part, if you haven’t heard from us your appointment or the service you attend is not impacted at this time."

Mr Gloster further urged anyone requiring urgent emergency care to attend their local emergency department for treatment, despite extremely difficult conditions in some parts of the country.