Cavan General Hospital.

Cyber attack services update

Latest

Disruption likely to go well into this week

The HSE for this area, which takes in Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo and Donegal), has issued an update in respect of public health services in the region following the cyber attack on its IT systems last week.

The ransomeware hack forced the temporary shutdown of computer systems across the health service for security reasons.

The HSE is continuing to work with the National Cyber Security Centre, and with national and international experts including McAfee, to rectify this issue.

The latest statement reads: "Our priority is keeping our patients safe and maintaining essential care and support services. The shutdown of our systems is having an impact on some health services and this disruption is very likely to go well into this week."

COVID-19 testing

All COVID-19 testing sites are open as usual this week.

"If you have symptoms of COVID-19, please phone your GP/GP Out of Hours service who may advise you to go to the nearest testing centre. Those who have a GP referral or have been contacted by contact tracing and advised to go to a COVID-19 test centre can attend without an appointment.

"You can also attend the testing centre as a walk-in without an appointment if you live in the same area as the walk-in test centre and have not tested positive in the last six months. Please be advised that you may have to wait if the testing centre is busy on arrival. Please check opening and closing times of your nearest testing centre on www.hse.ie " the statement advises.

Sligo testing site is open at Finisklin, Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.

Leitrim testing site is open at Carrick on Shannon Primary Care Centre, Monday to Friday, 2-4pm.

Vaccination clinics

Vaccination clinics are continuing as scheduled. "We would be grateful if you attend at your appointed time bringing photo Identification, your PPSN and wear a face covering," advise the HSE.

All community health service appointments are continuing as scheduled in this area unless you are contacted directly.

Those with service queries are asked to contact your service directly via telephone.

Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim Audiology/Hearing Service appointments for children are cancelled for this week, May 17-21.

For Adult Audiology appointments: ring Donegal on 0749189562 or Sligo 0719162647 to check if your appointment is proceeding.

"HSE CHO1 would like to advise the public to continue to follow all the advice and guidance on HSE.ie

"Your local media will also be contacted with any public notices and updates are also available on our Twitter handle @HSECommHealth1

"Thank you for your patience and understanding," concludes the statement.