Snow, ice and flooding have impacted on non-urgent HSE services across Kerry. HSE South West wishes to advise that all non-urgent outpatient appointments and other clinical appointments in Kerry HSE services are cancelled for the next three days.

This means that for today (Monday), Tuesday and Wednesday, all outpatient appointments at University Hospital Kerry will not go ahead. In view of dangerous travelling conditions for patients and staff, we ask the public not to travel to these appointments. HSE staff will contact patients with urgent appointments, such as dialysis and chemotherapy, to make arrangements.

Of note, while Outpatient and other clinical appointments are cancelled January 8 the following UHK appointments are going ahead:
· Ante natal appointments - Please contact the Labour Ward with any queries
· Dialysis
· Endoscopy - Staff will ring any patients whose appointment is being cancelled for Tuesday and Wednesday
· Oncology day services
The impact on services also includes:
· Appointments in community services including physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, community psychology, audiology, podiatry, dietetics, child development clinics and eye care clinics are deferred.
· Dental services will also be closed.
· School vaccination clinics will not go ahead today.
· Day services for older people will not take place today, Tuesday or Wednesday.
· Appointments scheduled for the Kerry ICPOP (Integrated Care Programme for Older Persons) at the McAuley Unit in Tralee are also not going ahead.
· 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.
Staff will be in touch as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment. Where it is possible and appropriate, staff may offer you a virtual appointment. Anyone in doubt should contact the office or person who issued the appointment.

Many services, including urgent care in hospitals and residential care, are unaffected and we wish to thank staff who have made significant efforts to be available to provide vital care and services.

HSE Healthcare Area manager for Kerry Julie O’Neill said:

“We have made this decision in the interest of safety of both patients and staff. HSE staff are prioritising service delivery for vulnerable patients and those with acute care needs. Home visits from home support and public health nurses went ahead yesterday (Sunday) and this will be kept under close and ongoing review. Staff are making transport arrangements for patients to get to vital appointments such as dialysis and urgent cancer care appointments.”

She added: “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. We thank staff who have made huge efforts to get to work and to provide urgent care in people’s homes.”

The ongoing low temperatures will mean there is a higher risk of slips, trips and falls on icy footpaths and steps. Older people should not venture outdoors in severe weather if possible.

It is important that people continue to consider all options and pathways available to them before attending the emergency department, which are always available to treat seriously ill patients - with the sickest patients seen first. People with less severe injuries and symptoms may have to wait to be seen. If you need care, visit your pharmacy, GP or family doctor, GP Out of Hours, or if it is safe for you to travel, the injury unit in Mallow for non-serious injuries.