Update on HSE services due to Storm Éowyn

HSE services throughout the country will see significant disruptions due to Storm Éowyn tomorrow (Friday, 24 January).

A range of services in hospitals and community healthcare will be cancelled tomorrow due to the severe weather warning status red. A red weather warning means everyone should stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and take action to protect themselves and their properties.

Where people are in receipt of specialist and time critical services such as dialysis and cancer treatment, the treating unit will contact the patient directly if there are any changes to the schedule. Supports to vulnerable people at home in the community will be prioritised on an urgent needs basis during the hours of restricted travel (red hours).

Commenting Bernard Gloster, HSE CEO said; “Our priority is to keep our patients, their families and our staff safe and unfortunately this requires us to postpone services for the day. We regret any impact this has on our patients and their families. It is important to say that we are doing all we can to ensure continuity of critical emergency services including ambulance, ED, dialysis, oncology treatment and pre-natal care for expectant mothers. If you are in any doubt or worried please contact your service, however for the most part all non-urgent outpatient appointments and community clinics are cancelled for tomorrow and will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Only HSE buildings connected to immediate and urgent service provision will be staffed during the period of the storm.”

“Finally, we would urge anyone requiring urgent emergency care to attend their local emergency department for treatment, whilst taking every precaution to keep safe on route. As always, our emergency departments provide emergency care to patients 24/ 7.”

We will also 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. Families can also contact their local day service directly to get an update.