UPDATE Severe Weather

 

Elective surgery and outpatient appointments are being cancelled in the majority of cases across UL Hospitals Group (University Hospital Limerick, University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital) this Thursday and Friday, 01 and 02 March 2018.

The Emergency Department at UHL, Injury Units at Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s and Medical Assessment Units at UHL, Ennis, Nenagh and St John’s will operate as normal on Thursday and Friday. The Maternity Emergency Unit at University Maternity Hospital Limerick will also continue to operate on a 24-hour basis.

The Emergency Department at UHL remains extremely busy and members of the public are urged to consider all their care options at this time and not to attend the Emergency Department unless necessary.

Injury Units in St John’s, Ennis and Nenagh hospitals are open for appropriate injuries. Injury Units are open in Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday and 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday at St. John's Hospital. Others with a less serious illness can be treated by their GP or out of hours GP service where their GP can refer them to an Assessment Unit the following day if required.

However, if you are seriously injured or ill or are worried your life is at risk the ED will assess and treat you as a priority.

All non urgent HSE offices and Health Centres in the Community will be closed tomorrow and Friday.

All services to people in their homes are scaled back to essential and will be prioritised in the earliest part of the day.

Exceptions will be made for those who critically need evening services.

All non urgent visits will be deferred and where appropriate phone contact is in its place for reassurance to those who may be vulnerable.

Shannon Doc will continue to operate out of hours emergency services as normal subject to any weather restrictions on travel.

Meanwhile the Local Co-ordination Group, led by Limerick City and County Council is again urging people to be at home or indoors by 4pm tomorrow (Thursday).

In addition the Local Co-ordination Group is advising that members of the public should only travel if absolutely necessary up to the start of the RED alert at 4pm.

Limerick City and County Council offices will be closed to members of the public from 1pm on Thursday and re-open on Monday 05 March 2018 at 9am.

However, essential services will be maintained and Customer Services can still be contacted on 061 556000 between 9am and 5pm or the out of hours number (emergency only) on 061 417833.  Alternatively check www.limerick.ie for updates.

The public office of the Limerick Homeless Action Team (LHAT) in John’s Square will remain open as normal on Thursday and Friday.

The Limerick Homeless Action Team can be contacted on 061 481212 normal business hours or the out of hours number is 1800 606060.

LHAT is continuing to liaise with the emergency housing providers and additional capacity has been made available to anyone who may seek assistance over the period of severe weather.

The council’s 15 gritters will be out from 7pm this evening and overnight covering routes that carry nearly 85% of all Limerick’s traffic.

For any water issues, eg leaks, loss of water, dirty water, sewage issues, please contact Irish Water on 1850 278 278.

Troops are on standby from this evening at 6pm at Sarsfield Barracks to help if needed.

In addition to precautions for snow and ice, Limerick City and County Council is monitoring levels in the River Shannon with a high tide and possible surges expected around 6am on Friday morning.

Further updates will be issued as necessary.

For more information about being prepared for adverse weather conditions, visit www.winterready.ie

 

The Local Co-ordination Group is part of #LKWorkingTogether, Limerick’s public services working together

- A joint statement from Limerick City and County Council, the HSE, An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces

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