Anger over cancellation of Mayo healthcare appointments at short notice

A Mayo member of HSE West Forum has criticised the cancellation at short notice of some healthcare appointments in Castlebar today due to the visit by US President Joe Biden.

Independent Councillor Michael Kilcoyne described the cancellation of all appointments on less than a day’s notice by the HSE at the St. Mary’s Hospital complex as “just not good enough”.

Access to the adjacent Mayo University Hospital (MUH) was also affected by traffic diversions which greatly reduced car parking availability.

Staff got a day off at the St. Mary’s complex and service users were informed via the media that their appointments were cancelled.

Impacted services affected include the European Health Card office, Audiology, Births Deaths Marriages, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Home Support Office and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.

“Patients are entitled to a bit more notice in advance”, Councillor Kilcoyne hit out.

“I know that the security of a U.S. President is important but so too is the health and welfare of HSE patients," he added..

Widespread traffic diversions were in place from midday in Castlebar where President Biden was due to visit the Mayo Roscommon Hospice, a palliative care centre on the outskirts of the town.

A plaque at the centre has previously been unveiled to Beau Biden, a son of the President, who passed away from cancer while in palliative care in the U.S. in 2015.