HSE issue update for communities in west impacted by Storm Éowyn

IN the aftermath of Storm Éowyn, many communities in the west remain extremely challenged by power outages and lack of access to water. The priority for community health services at this time is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable people who may need extra support at this time.

HSE West North West has issued the following update on its services:

'We are carrying out wellbeing checks with existing service users of home help and personal support through our Primary Care and Older People divisions, Public Health Nursing and community Social Work departments. We can assist with queries on existing medical equipment, electric beds, mattresses, hoists and oxygen for people who may need them.

'Our home help teams will continue to deliver home support visits over the coming period.

'If anyone has any concerns about a medically vulnerable person who is impacted by power outages we would ask them to please make contact with GP services and also their local HSE Health Centre or Public Health Nurse and assistance will be provided.

'Local Primary Care services have liaised with all GPs in the region to ascertain any difficulties being experienced by them as a result of the storm impacts. Phone contact has been made with every GP across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

'Thankfully many GPs are in a position to provide a full service to their patients at present following the resumption of power in their localities. Efforts are continuing to support those who are still without electricity, water or internet by seeking to provide alternative accommodation in HSE owned premises, where it is possible to do so. Many GPs have been relocated to HSE premises to allow them to deliver safe services.

'This support will continue until all practices are in a position to resume a full service from their own premises.

'Out of hours GP services will be operating as normal this bank holiday weekend across Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.

'In our hospital Emergency Departments we are seeing an increase in low acuity presentations leading to social admissions. Some of these patients do not require acute care but have become vulnerable due the conditions at home. Additionally, hospital bed capacity is affected by delayed discharges due to the storm.

'We are reminding the public that Emergency Departments are for life threatening emergencies. If your health problem is not an emergency you should contact your GP during normal surgery hours or GP Out of Hours service, in the first instance.'

Emergency Response Hubs (Community Hubs) have been set up by local authorities in partnership with local community groups and businesses to assist people with basic needs such as water, hot food, phone charging, broadband access. Some may include shower and clothes washing facilities.

Please see links to further information below:

· County Mayo: https://www.mayo.ie/community/emergency-response

· County Galway: https://www.galway.ie/en/news/name,50423,en.html

· County Roscommon: https://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/news-events/latest%20news/storm-eowyn-emergency-hubs.html