Storm Éowyn to cause 'significant disruption' to Laois services warns HSE

Storm Éowyn will 'significant disruptions' to health services across Laois, Dublin and the Midlands, the HSE regional management team has warned. 

The HSE Dublin and Midlands provides health and social care services to Dublin South City and West and Dublin South West, Kildare, West Wicklow, Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath.

The regional management team has warned that outpatient and non-urgent services in hospitals and non-essential community healthcare will be cancelled on Friday, January 24 due to the severe weather warning status red.

The HSE adds that where people receive specialist and time-critical services such as dialysis and cancer treatment, the treating unit will contact the patient directly if there are any changes to the schedule. It adds that supports to vulnerable people at home in the community will be prioritised on an urgent needs basis during the hours of restricted travel (red hours).

The HSE says a red weather warning means everyone should stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and take action to protect themselves and their properties.

Kate Killeen White, REO HSE Dublin and Midlands: “Every possible effort is being made to keep staff and patients safe, while maintaining essential services. It is essential that our staff and the public stay safe during this period of extreme weather. Non urgent appointments and routine services will not run on Friday. Do not travel to a HSE service or appointment unless you hear directly from us.

"Our services are working very hard to develop contingency plans to make sure essential services are maintained. Our priority is the safety of our patients, their families and staff. Thank you to the staff and teams who are coming to work in hospitals, clinics and residential settings tonight and who will stay overnight so that they can be in place ahead of the Red Weather warning.

READ: STATUS RED ALERTS

“Finally, if you require urgent emergency care, please attend their local emergency department for treatment, whilst taking every precaution to keep safe on route. As always, our emergency departments provide emergency care to patients 24/ 7.

"We will provide regular updates on services on our webpage https://www2.hse.ie/services/disruptions/ and we will also provide regular updates through local media and on our national and regional social media channels. Where possible, our teams will make contact directly with those who use our day centre services in disability, mental health, or older people to advise them of disruptions. Families can also contact their local day service directly to get an update," she said.

There is changes to opening hours of Injury Units within the Midlands;

· The Injury Unit based at Naas General Hospital will open at a later time of 1pm until 8pm.

· The Injury Unit located in Charter Medical, Mullingar who will open at the later time of 2pm until 8pm.

WATCH: STORM ÉOWYN LIVE

Met Éireann has warned that Storm Éowyn is a danger to life.

Laois is under a Status Red Warning from 6am on Friday until 11am on Friday.