Red weather warning to significantly disrupt HSE Services

While critical health services will continue, the message to the public is not to travel to appointments tomorrow, Friday

HSE Dublin and North East advises that there will be significant disruption to services tomorrow (Friday 24 January). Due to the status red weather warning associated with Storm Éowyn all non-urgent clinics and appointments in Louth, Meath, Cavan, Monaghan and North Dublin will be cancelled.

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).

While critical health services will continue, the message to the public is not to travel to appointments tomorrow, Friday. All non-urgent clinics and appointments are cancelled, and appointments in people’s homes will not go ahead during the red warning. Where an appointment needs to go ahead, we will contact the patients directly.

Critical emergency services (eg. ambulances, emergency departments, dialysis, oncology treatment and prenatal care for pregnant mothers) will continue to run, but please only travel to an emergency department for serious illnesses and injuries, including life-threatening emergencies. The Local Injury Unit in Dundalk will be open tomorrow from 1pm -10pm and Monaghan Local Injury Unit will be open from 1pm – 8pm.

HSE Dublin and North East Regional Executive Officer Sara Long said that every possible effort is being made to keep staff and patients safe, while maintaining essential services.

"It is very important that our staff and public stay safe during this period of extreme weather. Unfortunately this requires us to postpone services for the day. We regret any impact this has on our patients and their families. If you have any doubt, please do not travel during tomorrow’s dangerous conditions, and phone the office or person who made your appointment. All appointments will be rescheduled as soon as possible."

Dr Deirdre Mulholland, Director of Public Health advised: "Before the arrival of Storm Éowyn, the HSE advises people to please make sure you have all essential items including sufficient supplies of food, water and any prescription medicine you may need. People should keep warm and keep your mobile phone charged. If you have neighbours or family who are older or vulnerable, particularly those living alone please check on them to see if there is anything they need before the arrival of the storm. Extreme weather events can cause health risks so it is important to plan for such events to protect health when the weather is extreme.".

See the HSE’s Public Health advice about staying safe during extreme weather events at: https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/environmentandhealth/severeweatherevents/.

See hse.ie/disruptions for details on disruptions to services

For more details and live updates on Storm Éowyn visit HERE.