Last updated: 13.56am
As Islanders struggle to travel to work, obviously many council and public services will be affected today. Obviously collections will now be day later than normal.
Rubbish collection has been cancelled today, so best to put your rubbish back in the bins to avoid bags being opened by hungry wildlife. Obviously as there is no collection today, all subsequent collection days will now be a day later than normal (don’t forget to take into account the change in schedule due to bank hols).
Lots more details after the jump
The rubbish tips are closed today.
Advice from the Police is to avoid travelling unless you absolutely have to.
Jump to St Mary’s Hospital; Court Service; Libraries; Other council closures; NHS services; Emergency services; Appointments; GP Practices and Medical Centre; District Nursing Visits; Ambulances
St Mary’s Hospital
NHS Isle of Wight advise patients with hospital or other medical appointments to only venture out in snow and icy conditions if it is safe for them to do so. If appointments are missed they will be rebooked. See full NHS update below.
Court Service
The Isle of Wight Court services will be closed today, so if you work at the Courts, are scheduled to appear in court or attend a meeting, you can stay at home. The building will be closed all day.
Libraries
All libraries are closed. Fines suspended until service re-opens
Other council closures
Ventnor Botanic Garden
Dinosaur Isle Museum
Museum of Island History (Newport Guildhall)
Job Centres in Ryde and Newport
Seaclose Offices, Services include Planning, Building Control, Tree Team.
The Heights Leisure Centre will close at 2pm
(All facilities open apart from pool which is closed)
Medina Leisure Centre/Theatre
Waterside Pool will close at 2pm
Westridge Leisure Centre
Ryde Theatre and Shanklin Theatre
Fairway Sports Complex
NHS Update
Switchboard at St. Mary’s Hospital
Our switchboard is receiving a high level of calls at present. Please use the numbers listed below for advice. Please assume your hospital appointment is not happening today unless you are advised otherwise by the NHS (see below).
Emergency Department and Beacon Health Centre at St. Mary’s
Both the Emergency Department and Beacon Health Centre at St. Mary’s are coping well and dealing with emergencies and urgent medical enquires as they come in. For advice please telephone NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 or visit www.nhs.uk or out of hours ring the Island Health Line on 0845 6031 007.
Hospital and Medical Appointments on Wednesday 6th January
All outpatients appointments at St. Mary’s have been cancelled and any appointments missed will be rebooked. The same applies to other clinic appointments in the Community. NHS Isle of Wight is advising patients with hospital or other medical appointments to only venture out in snow and icy conditions if it is safe for them to do so.
GP Practices and Medical Centre
The Phlebotomy Clinic this morning at Ventnor Medical Centre, Albert Street, Ventnor is cancelled. All GP practices are currently open but operating on skeleton staffing. If you don’t need to visit your GP then stay warm and safe indoors. If it’s easier to get to your local pharmacy then they may be able to provide you with advice.
District Nursing Visits
District Nurses will be making essential visits only. These include essential injections, syringe drivers, catheters. Patients requiring an essential visit will be seen at some point today – District Nurses are travelling on foot. District Nursing arrangements will be reviewed daily. Anyone concerned can contact the District Nursing Team on 552456.
NHS Staff
With essential services to run, if possible all NHS staff regardless of where they work should try to get in providing it is possible and safe to do so. Staff who are unable to get to work must phone their manager to discuss arrangements. Staff are being redeployed as necessary to assist with essential services. The nursery on the St. Mary’s site is open.
Ambulance Crews Remain at Full Stretch
Chris Smith, Head of the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service comments: “All our emergency ambulances and crews remain fully committed and will be as long as the snow is with us. It is vitally important that the 999 ambulance service is only called in the event of life threatening injury. The snow on the Island’s roads and the difficulties caused by the conditions for other motorists means that it is taking much longer than usual for us to respond to calls. Please think twice before calling 999 and where possible use NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for telephone advice or log on to the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk.”
PCT Board Meeting
The PCT Board Meeting this morning has been cancelled.
