Four weeks after the cyber attack on the HSE’s computer systems, there are still significant delays being experienced at Galway hospitals.
Tony Canavan, CEO of the Saolta University Hospital Group highlighted the ongoing impact with limited outpatient and elective activity and long delays in Emergency Departments.
In the immediate aftermath of cyber attack, Galway University Hospitals and Portiuncula Hospital had to cancel a wide range of
“We made some progress in the first week to ten days in returning some of our key clinical systems back to some limited functionality but we are still experiencing considerable difficulties as a result of that attack.”
“What we’re finding is that most of our IT systems are not communicating with each other, they’re not talking to each other and they’re not sharing information with each other and that has a direct impact on our ability to deliver patient care,” he said.
Emergency Departments in particular are continuing to face heavy delays because essential services like blood tests and diagnostics are taking a lot longer.
Patients who are considering attending the emergency department in Galway hospitals are being asked to consider if that it the necessary place to go.
Tony Canavan said “If you have a genuine emergency, come to our emergency departments in our hospitals and you will be cared for.
“However, if it’s possible that you could receive appropriate care in some other setting – perhaps it’s your GP or pharmacist – you should give that some consideration as well.”
Outpatient appointments and elective activity also remain limited as core systems continue to face issues.
The Saolta Group chief also paid tribute to the ongoing efforts of staff, who have worked around the clock to return services and provide care to patients.
“I’m conscious that again our staff have had to adapt the way that they work in order to deal with this critical issue. And our staff have been excellent in finding workarounds and ways of ensuring that we continue to provide excellent patient care.
“I want to thank staff for their efforts in making that happen and I’m really conscious that you’re doing that in the context of a very, very difficult year as well. So thank you.”
