Hospital procedures to be postponed for thousands of people again

The call from the HSE includes a 14-day “period of prioritisation” on Covid-19 and “urgent time-sensitive work”, Mr Reid states. Picture: Leah Farrell / Photocall Ireland

The HSE has written to the health services saying a two-week focus on Covid-19 and “time-sensitive” treatment is now needed, meaning elective procedures will be postponed for thousands of people again.

The letter, sent by the head of the HSE Paul Reid on Tuesday, says there is “a number of immediate actions” hospitals and community healthcare services need to take to address the pressures caused by the rising number of Covid cases.