Access for visitors at Galway University Hospitals has been limited to one person per patient between 6pm and 7pm each day, as a result of a COVID outbreak and rising cases in the community.
Exceptions will be made on compassionate grounds and these visits should be arranged in advance with the nurse manager on the ward, the
Hospital Manager at Galway University Hospitals, Ms Chris Kane appealed for the public’s support in relation to the visiting arrangements at the hospital.
She said that the number of people visiting the hospital has increased gradually over the past few months, and that “we now face a situation where we must quickly reduce the footfall in the hospital both to protect the patients and staff but also to protect visitors.”
“Any person who accesses a hospital may unintentionally introduce the virus so we are trying to limit the number of people who access the hospital as far as reasonably practical.”
Ms Kane said that the new visiting arrangements will not change at the weekend and that children are not permitted to visit the hospital unless agreed in advance, on compassionate grounds, with the ward manager.
The arrangements apply to visiting University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital.
“We request that the nominated support person (visitor) wears a face mask at all times and that it is worn correctly,” Ms Kane said.
“Also, the visitor should use the hand gel on arrival and frequently throughout the visit. Ideally the visitor should be vaccinated as this helps us to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of COVID-19.
“If you are a nominated support person (visitor) for a patient in the hospital, we ask that you do not visit the hospital if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.
“There are separate arrangements in place for access to the maternity department for nominated support partners.
“We are grateful to the public for their ongoing co-operation in ensuring we can facilitate visiting in a safe manner to protect both patients and visitors.”
