A number of hospitals have imposed visitor restrictions due to high numbers of patients with with respiratory viral illnesses, such as Influenza, RSV and COVID-19.
Tallaght University Hospital, Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, Naas General Hospital, Regional Hospital Mullingar and Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore have introduced a range of restrictions including visits only on compassionate grounds or only allowing one or two visitors per day. The HSE said certain exceptions may be made with the agreement of ward staff and they hope to lift the restrictions as soon as circumstances allow.
The HSE Dublin and Midlands REO, Kate Killeen White, said: “Hospitals are implementing visiting restrictions. In some cases there is only visiting on compassionate grounds or visiting is limited to 1/2 person per patient during normal visiting times.
“We are asking people to only visit patients at the hospital or other health care residential setting, like nursing homes, if you are symptom free from flu or other respiratory illness. Please visit the HSE website for specific information and regular updates.
“While hospitals are busy, staff are caring for many seriously ill patients all over the Christmas. We would ask patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service”.
She added: “There are a range of care pathways available to patients who do not need emergency care including visiting your pharmacy for advice on common minor illnesses. Find out more at www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/ It also advises that if you urgently need to see a GP outside of normal hours, contact the local GP Out of Hours service – https://www2.hse.ie/services/find-urgent-emergency-care/.”
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