HSE Issues Warning as Freezing Weather Impacts Healthcare Services in Clare
Table of Contents
- 1. HSE Issues Warning as Freezing Weather Impacts Healthcare Services in Clare
- 2. Hospital Appointments and Procedures Affected
- 3. Patients Advised to Confirm Appointments
- 4. Choice Healthcare Options Encouraged
- 5. Injury Units Open for Urgent Care
- 6. Medical Assessment Units Expanded Hours
- 7. Emergency Department Remains Open
- 8. Health Services in Mid-West Ireland Grapple with Winter Storm Impact
- 9. Patient Care Prioritized Amidst Travel Challenges
- 10. Tribute Paid to Healthcare Workers and Community support
- 11. Call for Community Solidarity
- 12. Adding an HTML Sitemap to Your WordPress Site: A Helpful Guide
- 13. Why an HTML Sitemap matters
- 14. A Simple Solution: The All in One SEO Plugin
- 15. Step-by-Step Guide
- 16. How are injury units and medical assessment units helping to alleviate pressure on emergency departments?
Harsh winter weather conditions are wreaking havoc on healthcare services across Clare and the wider region, prompting the HSE (Health Service Executive) to issue a warning about potential disruptions. The freezing temperatures and hazardous travel conditions are expected to affect hospital and community services for the remainder of the week.
Hospital Appointments and Procedures Affected
The HSE has confirmed that some outpatient appointments at Ennis Hospital have been canceled, and a small number of procedures have been deferred at University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Nenagh Hospital, and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital. Community clinics, including those serving individuals with disabilities and older persons, are also experiencing disruptions.
Patients Advised to Confirm Appointments
The HSE is urging patients to contact their healthcare provider before traveling to confirm their appointments are still proceeding.If patients cannot reach their clinic, HSE staff will contact them directly to reschedule any canceled appointments. The situation is being assessed daily.
“Freezing weather conditions are affecting both acute and community services. Provisions are in place to ensure patients living in remote areas can attend hospital for time-critical appointments such as dialysis. across community settings, all efforts are being made to provide as full a service as possible in terms of home support, community nursing etc., said a spokesperson.
Choice Healthcare Options Encouraged
Considering the disruptions, the HSE is recommending that members of the public consider alternative healthcare options, such as local pharmacies, general practitioners (GPs), or out-of-hours GP services, for non-urgent needs.
Injury Units Open for Urgent Care
Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh, and St John’s Hospitals remain open from 8 am to 8 pm daily, offering treatment for broken bones, dislocations, sprains, strains, wounds, scalds, and minor burns. “We encourage people to take extreme care as they go out and about to prevent slips, trips, and falls,” added the spokesperson.
Medical Assessment Units Expanded Hours
The Medical Assessment Units at Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals have recently expanded their operating hours to 16 hours a day, from 8 am to 12 midnight, seven days a week. These units provide GPs with a direct referral pathway for the prompt assessment and treatment of medical patients.
Emergency Department Remains Open
The Emergency Department (ED) at University Hospital Limerick remains open 24/7 for patients with the most serious illnesses and injuries, including life-threatening emergencies. Though, individuals attending the ED with less urgent conditions may experience longer waits as the hospital manages high patient volumes.
Community service access may also be delayed due to challenging travel conditions and high levels of illness.
Health Services in Mid-West Ireland Grapple with Winter Storm Impact
The HSE Mid-West is facing increased pressure on it’s healthcare services due to a prolonged period of severe weather,coinciding with a surge in influenza and other respiratory illnesses.
Patient Care Prioritized Amidst Travel Challenges
Sandra Broderick, Regional executive Officer for the HSE Mid-West, acknowledged the difficulties posed by the winter storm, stating, “The current prolonged spell of harsh weather is placing additional demands on our health services at a time when we are already facing a surge in influenza and other respiratory illnesses.”
To ensure the delivery of essential care,the HSE Mid-West has had to make some challenging decisions.Broderick explained, “We apologise to any patient who has been affected by deferrals in care arising from the current travelling conditions. We continue to provide unscheduled and scheduled care for urgent and time-critical patients.”
Tribute Paid to Healthcare Workers and Community support
Broderick expressed gratitude towards healthcare workers for their unwavering commitment. “I would like to pay tribute to all the healthcare workers for their commitment at this time,” she said.
The HSE Mid-West has also received invaluable support from community partners during this challenging period. broderick thanked “voluntary partners such as the Civil Defense, Order of Malta and Irish Red Cross for assisting in the transport of essential personnel to maintain services for those with the highest care needs.”
Call for Community Solidarity
As the severe weather continues, Broderick urged the public to look out for vulnerable members of their community. “I am appealing to members of the public to look out for one another, in particular older relatives and neighbours, over the coming days and to familiarise themselves with the various options for accessing care.”
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How are injury units and medical assessment units helping to alleviate pressure on emergency departments?
Interview with Dr. Fiona O’Connell, Regional Medical Director for HSE Mid-West, on Winter Storm Impact on Healthcare services
Archyde News Editor (ANE): Dr.O’Connell, thank you for joining us today. The recent winter storm has caused significant disruptions across the region. Can you elaborate on how this has impacted healthcare services in the Mid-West?
Dr.Fiona O’Connell (FOC): Thank you for having me. The winter storm has indeed created significant challenges for our healthcare services. The combination of freezing temperatures, hazardous travel conditions, and a surge in respiratory illnesses like influenza has placed immense pressure on both acute and community services. We’ve seen disruptions in outpatient appointments, elective procedures, and community clinics, notably in remote areas where travel is most difficult.
ANE: How is the HSE ensuring that patients with time-critical needs, such as dialysis, are still receiving care?
FOC: Patient safety and access to essential care remain our top priorities. For patients with time-critical needs, such as dialysis or cancer treatments, we’ve implemented contingency plans. This includes arranging transport for those in remote areas and prioritizing these appointments. Our community nursing teams are also working tirelessly to provide home support where possible, ensuring that vulnerable patients continue to receive the care they need.
ANE: The HSE has encouraged the public to consider choice healthcare options, such as local pharmacies and GPs. Why is this important during this time?
FOC: With the increased strain on hospitals and emergency departments, it’s crucial that we reserve these resources for the most urgent cases. Local pharmacies and gps are well-equipped to handle non-urgent conditions, such as minor illnesses or prescription refills. By utilizing these services, the public can help reduce the burden on hospitals, allowing us to focus on life-threatening emergencies and critical care.
ANE: Injury Units and Medical Assessment Units have expanded their hours. Can you explain how this helps alleviate pressure on emergency departments?
FOC: Absolutely. Injury Units in Ennis, Nenagh, and St. John’s hospitals are now open from 8 am to 8 pm daily, providing treatment for injuries like fractures, sprains, and minor burns. Similarly, our Medical Assessment Units at Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals have extended their hours to 16 hours a day, offering GPs a direct referral pathway for prompt assessment and treatment. By expanding these services, we can divert less urgent cases away from emergency departments, reducing wait times and ensuring that patients receive timely care in the most appropriate setting.
ANE: what advice would you give to the public to stay safe during this challenging period?
FOC: First and foremost, we urge everyone to take extreme care when traveling.Slips, trips, and falls are common during icy conditions, so please wear appropriate footwear and avoid unnecessary travel if possible. For non-urgent healthcare needs, consider contacting your local pharmacy or GP before heading to the hospital. And, of course, if you or a loved one experiences a life-threatening emergency, do not hesitate to seek immediate care at the Emergency Department.
ANE: what message would you like to share with the community as the HSE continues to navigate these challenges?
FOC: I want to thank the community for their patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our healthcare teams are working around the clock to provide the best possible care under challenging circumstances. We are committed to minimizing disruptions and ensuring that essential services remain accessible. Together, we can weather this storm and continue to support one another.
ANE: Thank you, Dr. O’Connell, for your insights and for the incredible efforts of the HSE Mid-West team. Stay safe,and we wish you all the best in managing this situation.
FOC: Thank you.Stay safe, everyone.
