Water supply to the region’s Main Hospital has been cut off as a result of issues arising out of Storm Emma.
The UL Hospital’s Group has confirmed that it’s working with Irish Water to restore supply to the Dooradoyle facility, which is experiencing high volumes of patients as services return to normal today.
The UL Hospitals Group is anticipating high volumes of patients attending the ED at the region’s main hospital over the coming ten days.
All non-essential appointments were cancelled on Thursday and Friday during the worst of the weather and over one thousand appointments now have to be rescheduled.
High numbers attended the Emergency Department over the weekend and that trend is expected to continue over the coming week and a half.
Today, the INMO says there are 47 patients awaiting admission to the hospital.
Patients are being urged to visit their GP in the first instance or the injuries unit and the Medical Assessment Unit or Local Injuries Unit at Ennis General where possible.
CEO of the UL Hospitals Group, Collette Cowan has confirmed issues with water supply there today, she explains how it’s impacting on patients.
Meanwhile, Clare appears to have escaped the worst of the damage during storm Emma.
Council crews worked tirelessly over the weekend to clear most of the county’s main and secondary routes ahead of the reopening of schools and the resumption of services this morning.
Ten centimetres of snow fell in the county leading to accumulations of several feet in some parts on account of drift, and though the melt has been gradually taking place over the past 48 hours, snow remains in some parts.
Clare County Council doesn’t anticipate any major flooding events.
But Senior Engineer Tom Tiernan says there is pressure on the water system as a result of the adverse weather, and he’s adding his voice to calls from Irish Water for people to conserve supply.
The heavy snowfall resulted in shops and businesses having to close for up to four days and Ennis-based retail lobby group, Retail Excellence estimates that hundreds of millions of euro worth of trade has been lost nationwide.
Deputy CEO, Lorraine Higgins says businesses across the board took a major financial hit and she’s urging people to support their local businesses in the wake of the storm.
