HSE steps in to aid flooding victims

Following last week'sunprecedented flooding in Newcastle West and surrounding areas, the services of the Health Service Executive were called upon to respond very quickly to the difficult circumstances in which people found themselves.

The Limerick Post newspaper reports that emergency accommodation was provided for a number of elderly people at St Ita's Hospital and the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Dooradoyle. Bed and Breakfast was also used for those who needed accommodation and this was funded through the Community Welfare Service.

The Environmental Health Service called to food premises in the affected area to advise on disposal of damaged food, clean up, sanitising operations and pest control. Advice was also given on food storage due to power cuts. The Environmental Health Officers (EHO's) liaised with Nursing Homes, the Health Centre and the Hospital, and were actively involved in checking chlorine levels in the public water supply throughout the town on Friday, August 1. Communication was maintained with Limerick County Council over the weekend regarding the potential threat to the public water supply due to flooding at the Water treatment plant.

A spokesperson for the Health Service Executive Mid-West said that EHO's continue to take phone calls from members of the public in affected areas regarding the clean up and to offer advice on public health issues where required. Monitoring of the public water supply is on going, she said.