The HSE has confirmed cancellations of elective, day and outpatient services across hospitals and community settings for Wednesday, 14 October. Its notice, updated on 13 October, says healthcare teams are contacting patients and cancelled appointments will be rescheduled. Patients do not need to contact the HSE about these cancellations. [1]

What the updated notice covers

The notice covers elective, day and outpatient care, community services and primary care clinics. Administrative services are also affected. [1]

For households organising a routine visit, retain the original appointment details and any notification already received. Keep a replacement date beside the original booking when it arrives, so carers or relatives helping with the journey have the same information.

The HSE has not given a single replacement date for every cancelled appointment. Its statement is that rescheduling will happen as soon as possible. [1] An earlier reminder should therefore be read alongside the updated service notice rather than treated as newer information.

Urgent services continue

Emergency departments and critical care, including urgent cancer treatment and dialysis, continue; ambulances run at reduced capacity. The HSE advises against delaying urgent care and directs emergencies to 999, 112 or an emergency department where necessary. [1]

Injury units, GPs, GP out-of-hours services and community pharmacies remain available under the published arrangements. [1] This report does not assess symptoms or classify a particular patient’s care.

Home support has separate arrangements

Home support continues for the highest-need and most vulnerable clients under approved arrangements. Other visits may change according to clinical and local needs. [1]

Read any direct notification about a care arrangement carefully; a change to one routine appointment is not a reason to change treatment instructions independently.

Update to this article

Earlier guidance here to contact the service about routine cancellations has been replaced following the HSE’s 13 October update. Check the linked notice for subsequent changes. [1]