There will be disruption to health services across a number of counties tomorrow due to the extremely challenging weather conditions, the HSE has warned.
While the majority of HSE services will continue to operate as normal, it said services including outpatient appointments and day services have been cancelled in part of Cork, Kerry, south Tipperary, Laois and parts of the midwest.
The HSE says it is providing updates online (www2.hse.ie/services/disruptions/) and, where possible, its teams will make contact directly with those who use day centre services in disability, mental health or older people to advise them of disruptions.
At this point, there are no disruptions in the west and north west, most of Dublin and the north east.
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“Where we defer any service it will be rearranged or rescheduled as quickly as possible,” said HSE chief executive, Bernard Gloster. “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 health authorities were doing all they can to ensure continuity of critical services including ambulance, ED, dialysis, oncology treatment and prenatal 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,” he said.
Met Éireann said the cold snap is set to continue into next week, with plummeting temperatures likely to make driving difficult over the next few days.
Mr Gloster said the harsh weather can be “punitive at many levels”.
“The most healthy of people are prone to slips and falls causing injury. Please take care and if injured seek help. We have many injury units across the country which can assist and this helps reduce pressure on emergency departments. Of course if seriously injured or unsure then do come to the hospital.
“In very severe weather people may experience difficulty in accessing service at home such as home support and community services. We are doing everything we can to ensure the most essential services are maintained.”
Mr Gloster asked members of the public to offer whatever assistance they can to vulnerable members of the community such as the elderly, the disabled and those living alone.
“Check in on them, have they access to medications, heat, warm food and general care. Finally, our hospitals are exceptionally busy and while managing well thanks to all of our staff, we are under pressure from demand and flu.”
The cold weather comes during a time when the health service is already under pressure due to a rise in respiratory illnesses, particularly influenza.
As of Sunday morning there were 834 flu patients in Irish hospitals. This was down from a high over the new year’s period, but the HSE has predicted the flu season will peak this coming week, which would likely result in an increase of cases and hospitalisations in the following days and weeks.
On Sunday there was a total of 338 patients on trolleys in hospitals, 236 of which were in emergency departments. A further 458 patients were in surge capacity, which is additional beds temporarily in use to cope with demand.
There were 356 delayed transfers of care, which is when somebody is suitable for discharge but remains in a hospital bed. This is a concern for the health system as it means those who require a bed are left waiting while they’re occupied by an individual who no longer clinically needs it.
A total of 86 patients were waiting more than 24 hours for a hospital bed, of which 10 were aged 75 or older.
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