HSE Non-Urgent Services Cancelled During Work Stoppage on Wednesday 14 October
Many non-urgent HSE services will be affected on Wednesday 14 October due to planned industrial action, with only emergency and critical healthcare services available on the day.
HSE South West has advised that work stoppages will take place across the public sector on Wednesday 14 October, impacting many HSE services. All non-urgent appointments and services will be cancelled, while emergency and critical care services will continue.
Emergency departments, ambulance services and other critical healthcare services, such as urgent cancer treatment and dialysis, will be available. The HSE has said that anyone who needs urgent medical care on Wednesday should not delay seeking care.
Hospital Appointments
All routine hospital appointments, planned surgeries and routine hospital procedures are cancelled on 14 October. The HSE says it is contacting patients directly to let them know, and appointments will be rescheduled as quickly as possible.
Community and Primary Care
Appointments in community-based services and clinics will also be cancelled. Examples given by the HSE include physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, dental services and chronic disease management services.
Child health services, including routine appointments with public health nurses, are also affected. These appointments will be rescheduled as soon as possible.
Day Services
Day services will be closed. These include day centres supporting older people, disability and mental health day services for adults and children, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, antenatal clinics and rehab services.
The HSE says it is contacting people who use its day services to let them know.
What Remains Available
In a medical emergency, contact 999 or 112 and ask for an ambulance. The HSE has warned there may be delays, with the most urgent cases prioritised.
Emergency departments are always open, with staff there to help people with life threatening injuries or illness.
GP services will be available as usual. Anyone who urgently needs to see a GP outside of regular opening hours should contact their local out-of-hours GP service.
Local pharmacists can also provide expert advice and over-the-counter treatments for a wide range of minor illnesses.