Home-help visits for vulnerable could be hampered by poor travel conditions

SNOWY and treacherous weather may hamper the ability of some HSE home helps and public health nurses to carry out home visits to the elderly and disabled.

The HSE, which convened its national crisis team yesterday, said it had its “winter plan” in place, but it warned services at local and national level “are likely to be impacted depending on the severity of the impact of the weather conditions”.

It said it would continue to “do everything possible to maintain all essential services, particularly services to vulnerable people at home in the community”.

“We are appealing to people to check that they are stocked up with any medicines and healthcare supplies they may need this week. Remember you may not be able to get to a pharmacy if conditions are poor,” it said in a statement.

Its services will be hit if staff are unable to turn up for work due to the road conditions.

Hospital A&E departments were under pressure again yesterday, as 556 patients waited for a bed.

HSE figures revealed 80 patients were on trolleys for more than 24 hours.

People with certain health conditions are particularly at risk from the plummeting temperatures.

The HSE said it is “advisable for anyone with asthma who is going out into very cold air to wrap up, especially with a mouth scarf, as very cold air can trigger asthma symptoms such as wheeze, cough or chest tightness. They should consider taking the reliever inhaler (blue) when this occurs and to have it with them at all times when out and about”.

Others who are vulnerable are people with a long-term health condition such as heart, lung or kidney disease.

The HSE asked that “where it is safe to do so, we are asking people to consider checking in on elderly or vulnerable members of the community, and to make sure they have supplies of food, fuel, water and medicines”.

Other tips it gave out were:

■ Wear several layers of clothes rather than one chunky layer – clothes made from cotton, wool or fleecy fibres maintain body heat;

■ If you have a heart or respiratory problem, stay indoors during very cold weather.