Non-urgent medical appointments in hospitals across Cork have been cancelled due to concerns about ‘dangerous travel conditions’ for patients and staff.
The HSE South West has advised that appointments for outpatients and a range of other clinical services will not go ahead on Monday (6th January) at the following facilities: CUH, South Infirmary Victoria Hospital, Mercy University Hospital, Bantry Hospital and Mallow Hospital.
The decision was made due to concerns over ‘dangerous travelling conditions’ for patients and staff.
The impacted services include:
- Appointments in community services including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, community psychology, podiatry, dietetics, child development clinics and eye care clinics are deferred. Dental services will also be closed.
- Day services for older people will not take place on Monday 6 th January.
- All mental health day services, day hospitals and outpatient services have been cancelled. If any service user has difficulties, is in crisis or requires urgent assistance, they should make telephone contact with their team, GP, Southdoc or their local emergency department.
- Appointments at ICPOP (Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons) and Integrated Care Programme Chronic Diseases will not go ahead.
- At Cork University Maternity Hospital, all gynaecology outpatient appointments have been cancelled. However, antenatal appointments are going ahead – expectant mothers are urged to attend and to contact the CUMH directly with any questions.
HSE staff will be in touch with patients with urgent appointments such as dialysis and chemotherapy to make arrangements.
Staff will also contact those with cancelled appointments to reschedule as soon as possible – online sessions may be offered instead. Anyone in doubt should contact the facility, office or person they are attending.
This notice comes as many busy Cork roads are impacted by the poor weather today. Cork County Council are urging all drivers to avoid the N22 road to Killarney due to heavy snowfall – multiple vehicles have already been abandoned on the route.
Meanwhile, there are also heavy delays on the M8 Cork-Dublin road and photos show traffic is gridlocked on N20 near Charleville.
HSE South West Regional Executive Officer Dr Andy Phillips said: “This decision has been made to ensure safety of both patients and staff. HSE staff are prioritising service delivery for vulnerable patients and those with acute care needs. Staff are making transport arrangements for patients to get to vital appointments such as dialysis and urgent cancer care appointments.
“Every effort possible is being made to ensure that staff and those who use our services are kept safe, and that essential services are maintained. We have the support of voluntary and community agencies in getting staff to work, and we thank them for their support.”
The HSE will issue an update on the situation tomorrow.