There will be disruption to many HSE services across Kerry and Cork tomorrow (Tuesday) due to the impact of the Red weather warning during Storm Barra.

The HSE has said that their priority is the safety of the public and of their staff, and they are focusing on keeping essential, life-saving services available.

Many appointments may be cancelled in the interests of the safety of the general public and healthcare staff, the HSE said in a statement this evening.

All HSE services are repeating the advice to the public to stay indoors for the duration of the weather warning, and ask the public not to undertake any unnecessary travel tomorrow (Tuesday) between 6am and 9pm.

Ambulance services:

The National Ambulance Service will as always prioritise emergency calls during this weather event but is urging the general public to think carefully before calling. The response to emergency calls may be hindered by road conditions and the number of emergency calls at any particular time. Personnel will do their utmost to reach those in greatest need of emergency services.

Hospital services:

The South/South West Hospital Group (S/SWHG) is advising that all elective inpatient and outpatient appointments and procedures in Cork University Hospital, Bantry General Hospital, Mallow General Hospital, Mercy University Hospital, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital and University Hospital Kerry are cancelled tomorrow with the exception of time critical cases.
These appointments will be re-scheduled as soon as possible.

COVID-19 vaccinations and testing:

All COVID-19 vaccination centres and test centres in Cork and Kerry will be closed tomorrow (Tuesday). Any COVID-19 vaccination appointments for any centre in Kerry and Cork tomorrow will not go ahead, and the HSE will reschedule them as soon as possible. Anyone with an appointment is asked not to travel tomorrow and the HSE will be in direct contact with a rescheduled appointment.

Community services:

There will be no school's immunisation appointments tomorrow, please do not travel to appointments.
Day services, for older people, in disability services and in mental health services, are closed.
Most appointments at health centres and primary care centres are not going ahead. If you have any questions, please contact the team or office which made your appointment or who you usually contact. Please do not travel to any appointment or service without checking first.

"We would like to reassure the public that detailed contingency plans are in place to ensure the continuity of services at such critical times," the HSE said. "However, only essential health services will be in place tomorrow, in the interests of the safety of both staff and the public. We will issue further updates to the media later and on social media as necessary. We thank our staff for the work and planning they have undertaken to make sure that essential services are maintained and that those using our services are kept safe."