HSE Statement - Dublin Incidents

The HSE CEO, Bernard Gloster has today outlined the actions taken by the HSE in relation to the attack in Dublin city centre yesterday afternoon and the subsequent civil disorder in the city last night.

There were difficulties in the movement within the city for ambulance services and staff leaving/coming to work.

A small number of patient diversions to other hospitals from city centre hospitals were necessary.  There was a small rise in numbers attending non city centre EDs as a result of avoidance of city centre hospitals. We expect this could impact on attendances today with some seeking services today which they deferred coming to last night.

The National Ambulance Service (NAS) called in five extra crews to support responses and demand on our colleagues in Dublin Fire Brigade’s ambulance service. NAS supported An Garda Síochána with tactical emergency medical supports and this is standard when public order units are deployed and injury risk to Gardaí is heightened.  

According to the HSE CEO Bernard Gloster:

“I want to thank all of our staff for the work they did in very difficult circumstances. Very many are used to working to serve our patients in very difficult circumstances however street violence adds significantly to the challenge on a number of fronts. We are doing everything possible to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our staff as they go about their work and I am certainly concerned for them when even a small number of people act with intent on causing violence, harm and disruption. The scenes visible on the streets of Dublin last night have implications far beyond what people can see and this impacts all public services including healthcare for the majority of law abiding citizens.”

The HSE would like to reassure the public that notwithstanding possible access issues around the city centre today and over the weekend, hospitals are operating as normal.  Extra security is in place to protect our hospitals, patients and staff. Our community healthcare services in Dublin City continue to provide services to vulnerable patients and service users. 

Whilst we cannot comment on individual patients, we are providing the best of care to all the people injured in the incidents of yesterday.

Community Healthcare Dublin North City and County (CHODNCC) are participating in the support systems available to the school community affected by the horrendous events of yesterday afternoon.  Our thoughts are with the families and community affected and we will support them in the coming days and weeks.