Update on HSE services due to weather conditions

While the majority of HSE services will continue to operate as normal, there will be some disruption to services in a number of counties tomorrow (Monday, 6 January) due to the extremely challenging weather conditions.

Given the hazardous travelling conditions in Cork, Kerry, South Tipperary, Laois and parts of the Mid West, the HSE has cancelled some services in those areas including outpatient appointments and day services. We are providing updates as soon as we can on services that are impacted at https://www2.hse.ie/services/disruptions/ and we will also continue to provide regular updates through local media and on our national and regional social media channels. Where possible, our teams will make contact directly with those who use our day centre services in disability, mental health or older people to advise them of disruptions, or families 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.

Commenting Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO said:

“Where we defer any service it will be rearranged 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. 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.

Finally, despite the extremely difficult conditions in some parts of the country, we would urge anyone requiring urgent emergency care to attend their local emergency department for treatment. As always, our emergency departments provide emergency care to patients 24/ 7.”