Hospitals in the west and north west are recording a rise in social admissions this week following storm Éowyn.
People have been presenting to emergency departments due to unlivable conditions in their homes which remain without power, water and heating.
A week on from the storm, the HSE says it is dealing with a rise in ‘low acuity’ presentations in hospitals, leading to patients being admitted for social care as safe discharge is not possible.
“Some of these patients do not require acute care but have become vulnerable due to the conditions at home. Additionally, hospital bed capacity is affected by delayed discharges due to the storm,” a spokesperson said.
The HSE is also carrying out wellbeing checks with vulnerable people in communities in the northwest in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn.
Home help teams are delivering home support visits as people continue to be extremely challenged by power outages and lack of access to water.
Extra support is being provided to existing service users of home help and personal support through Primary Care and Older People divisions, Public Health Nursing and community Social Work departments.
“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,” said a notice today from HSE West and North West.
The HSE is 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,” the statement said.
“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. 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. Some 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 the north west. Find out about out of hours GP services here.
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:
