Advisory note on changes to health service provision - Storm Ophelia

The Department of Health has issued an advisory note on service provision within the Health and Social Care system today due to Storm Ophelia.

The Department of Health has issued an advisory note on service provision within the Health and Social Care system today due to Storm Ophelia.

A number of changes to planned appointments, treatments and day care services have been announced.  It is emphasised that these are precautionary measures.

Changes to services are as follows:

• Belfast Trust – The Trust provides a number of regional specialties, which necessitate people travelling from a wide area. Therefore, all outpatient appointments are postponed this afternoon and all elective day cases have also been postponed.  All patients affected will be contacted and alternative provision will be made for as early a date as possible. Day centres will be closed by 12pm and service users will be transported home with a meal provided. 
• Western Trust – All routine outpatient appointments and routine treatments for this afternoon at Altnagelvin Hosptial, Omagh Hospital and Primary Care and the South West Acute Hospital have been postponed.  The Trust is contacting people directly with regards to their appointments. Day care services will be closed this afternoon – again, the Trust has made direct contact with clients and their families to confirm arrangements.
• Northern Trust - All outpatient appointments will proceed as normal today. All day centres and adult centres will close at lunch time.
• The Southern and South Eastern Trusts – both Trusts plan to maintain hospital and community services today.

All Trusts will continue to review the situation throughout today and will update advice as required. All queries about provision in your local area should be directed towards each individual Trust. Contact details can be found on the nidirect website. 

If a patient cannot make it to their appointment, they should contact the Trust to rearrange. Patients will not be penalised for missing appointments today, and all appointments will be rearranged as soon as possible.

GP services remain operational as normal. However, some GP practices are operating a telephone triage service in place of their normal arrangements. If you are unwell, or are concerned that your GP appointment has been changed or cancelled, please contact your GP surgery directly.

GP Out of Hours services will operate as normal from 6pm this evening.

If you need a prescription dispensed, please phone a local pharmacy in advance.

We want to also assure the public that emergency services will continue as usual.

Notes to editors: 

Media enquiries to the Department of Health Press Office on 028 9052 0579. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07623 974 383 and your call will be returned.

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