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All elective surgery cancelled at University Hospital Kerry due to flu outbreak

A statement issued this morning by the hospital said: "Regretfully, due to the high numbers of patients presenting to University Hospital Kerry with influenza over the last week, we have had to take the decision to cancel all elective surgery for this week. The hospital will review this decision again on Thursday with regard to next week’s elective surgery (All patients cancelled will be facilitated with a new appointment as soon as possible)."

'The hospital has worked tirelessly with our colleagues in the community over the holidays to ensure all hospital and community beds were utilized but the surge in influenza presentations to the Emergency Department now mean that exceptional measures have had to be taken in the interests of patient and staff safety.

'Hospital management are appealing to both adults and children who are experiencing any signs or symptoms of influenza to contact their local health provider (GP/ Southdoc) in the first instance, prior to attending the Emergency Department.

"The Hospital has also introduced strict visiting restrictions to try to prevent the spread of flu within the hospital and again we ask that the public assist us in this matter."