HealtH Matters 21
HsE suPPOrt
thing’ by having the right people in the right
place at the right time.
Cold weather
2009 ended and 2010 began with the
coldest and most sustained icy weather in
memory for a generation. acute hospitals
saw more fractures and lacerations in 24
hour periods than they often saw in two
week periods. road traffic and pedestrian
+ Main picture, left:
conditions were truly treacherous. there
an ariel shot of the was also an increasing challenge for
extensive flooding in
community staff as there appeared to be
Ballinasloe, and right:
no end in sight. Getting key personnel such
Defence Forces helping
local people during
as Public Health and Palliative Care Nurses
the flooding in south
and Home Helps to vulnerable people was
tipperary. an increasing concern in many areas. GP
Co-ops in some cases reported two hour
call times to what would have routinely
as the supply of clothing and extra food
“the impact on people
been 30 minutes. looking back on our
costs. Many people were literally forced response to this difficult time for people,
to leave their homes in what they were
who have to suddenly
perhaps our greatest learning is that
standing in. such was the extent of the vulnerability and isolation is not confined to
damage and devastation caused that some
abandon their homes and
people far up windy country roads and hills,
of our Community Welfare Officers are still
their ability to cope with
but was also evident in estates in many
supporting many people affected through towns and cities.
the administration of the government
disaster varies widely.”
all in all, when we look back on the
humanitarian support scheme. closing months of 2009 we can see that
what we planned to do and set out to do
MediCal aSSiStanCe was more than added to by unforeseen
While the floods thankfully didn’t cause enVironMental and PubliC events, emergencies and crises. We know
serious injury, some of those who had health that we have more to learn and that we can
to leave their homes required medical Information to the public and direct support improve our processes but I can honestly
assessment and support. typically this services to Hse teams responding to floods say that I found firsthand evidence that
would involve people with chronic or long was critically important from these sources. many of our staff did a superb job and
term illnesses who may have lost medicines Flood water is often contaminated and deserve our thanks and support.
or prescriptions or about whom there flood damage and damp can affect health,
was some level of concern. Our own area particularly where there is vulnerability or
Medical Staff, GPs and GP Co-ops all underlying illness.
played their part when called upon.
aMbulanCe SerViCe
PSyCho-SoCial SuPPortS at the initial point of flooding where
the impact on people who have to evacuation is required the Hse ambulance
suddenly abandon their homes and their services provide assistance often supported
ability to cope with disaster varies widely. by the Army, Civil Defence and NGO
In some cases those leaving their homes services. this was not just important in the
knew that it would be many months before communities affected by floods, but also in
they would be able to return. From the Hse run facilities affected such as nursing
individual to community level one could homes and mental health residences.
sense the range of feelings from at best During the response to the flood the
inconvenience to at worst total devastation. Hse showed itself to be not only capable
again through our professional staff in of having a plan and executing it but yet
psychology, mental health, social work and again there was repeated testament to the
counselling the Hse could and did provide commitment and dedication of staff to turn
key supports. in at night and weekends, and ‘do the right + relief efforts in County Clare.
HM Iss6.1 p1-70.indd 21 12/03/2010 15:14:07
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