Galway Bay fm newsroom - The Saolta Hospital Group has announced that outpatient appointments are being postponed at UHG and Merlin Park Hospital.
It says the rising cases of COVID-19 in the community, along with staff absences as a result, are having a significant impact on services.
Saolta says from Monday, some outpatient appointments are being cancelled in order to redeploy staff to support essential emergency care.
Patients are being contacted directly if their appointment is affected.
Ambulatory gynaecology, some endoscopy and other non-theatre day cases are proceeding but remain under review.
Patients are advised they should confirm that their case is proceeding on the day before it is scheduled using the contact details provided on their appointment notification.
All routine inpatient surgeries scheduled have also been postponed.
The Saolta Hospital Group says time sensitive, urgent cases will proceed when it is safe to do them and patients will be contacted if they are to attend.
It adds the situation is being kept under constant review.
