Appointments cancelled at Tullamore Hospital for two days
All routine electives and outpatient appointments at Midlands Regional Hospital Tullamore have been cancelled for the next two days.
In a statement issued this afternoon the HSE said: “Following the upgrade of the weather warning by Met Eireann to status Red for Leinster today, Wednesday February 28, Dublin Midlands Hospital Group are now cancelling routine electives and outpatient appointments for the next two days.
“We will continue to do everything possible to maintain all essential services to patients receiving planned cancer, renal and antenatal care but please contact your hospital directly if you have any concerns. In relation to radiotherapy treatment in St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network please contact the sites directly. All appointments cancelled during the period will be rescheduled and patients will be advised of their new appointment by their hospital.
“Patients should be advised that if they do attend the hospital today for a clinic appointment they will be seen.
“Hospital Emergency Departments continue to be busy and we expect difficulties around discharge planning as a consequence of the adverse conditions. We would encourage people to consider all options available to them for their healthcare needs and to protect the ED for those most seriously ill as delays can be expected.
“The hospitals will be monitoring the situation on an hour by hour basis and using all channels of communications to update patients / clients and the general public regarding any changes to service provision.
“The Hospital Group has been working with Hospitals to plan and prepare for the adverse weather conditions predicted by Met Eireann over the coming days.
“This planning is informing the National Crisis Management Team who are working collaboratively with Local Authorities, National Ambulance Service, An Garda Siochana and Met Eireann to ensure plans are in place for the safe delivery of services for both staff and members of the public.
“We reiterate the HSE calls for people to check that they are stocked up with any medicines and health care supplies they may need this week. Remember you may not be able to get to a pharmacy if conditions are poor.
“Where it is safe to do so, we are also asking people to consider checking in on elderly or vulnerable members of the community, and to make sure they have supplies of food, fuel, water and medicines.
“Keep up to date with @HSELive @Stjamesdublin on Twitter for all the latest regarding our services #weatherwarning #BeastFromTheEast #DMHG and on Facebook channelswww.facebook.com/tallaghthospital and www.facebook.com/StJamessHospitalDublin .”