Hospital service disruptions

Information for visitors

Due to increased infection control measures required at this time for Covid 19, St. Luke’s General Hospital will be temporarily suspending hospital visiting effective immediately except for those visiting the maternity unit and exceptional circumstances as determined by each ward manager.

Please see the following restrictions that are currently in place.

VISITING RESTRICTIONS

Maternity unit  – Remains Unchanged

- Partners can attend EPAU

- Partners can attend Booking Ultrasound

- Partners can attend high risk ante natal clinic visits based on an individual case by case basis with previous agreement

- Partners can attend Anomaly Ultrasound

- Partners can attend during the day if a woman is being induced or in early labour on the maternity ward

- Partners can attend when woman in labour ward

- Partners can attend for Caesarean Section

- Partners can attend 10-12 and 6-8 daily

- Parents can attend the SCBU by pre arranged appointments

- Outside of these times, sensitive cases will be discussed with the couple on an individual basis

Exceptional Circumstances :

Visiting will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances such as:

·       End Of Life Non-Covid-19 Patient - Only two nominated Relatives only;

·       End Of Life Covid-19 Patient – Only one nominated relative utilising correct PPE/hand hygiene/IPC advice etc.;

·       Critically ill patient (Only Two nominated Relatives only);

·       One parent only will be allowed visit children in the Paediatric Unit at any time.

·       Children should not visit the hospital.

·       The situation will be reviewed on an on-going basis and any further changes will be advised.

There are a number of Covid and non-Covid-19 patients presenting to the ED. We ask the public to consider their care options, if possible. Please consult with your GP or pharmacist before attending ED in St Luke’s General Hospital. However, if urgent care is required, patients should attend the hospital.

We advise patients to only attend the hospital ED if absolutely necessary and to not bring children (unless the children are ill).

St Luke’s General Hospital would like to assure people that anyone seriously injured or ill will be assessed and treated as a priority.

We’d also like to remind the general public that anyone who is experiencing Covid-19 like symptoms (see below) to please contact their GP in the first instance. Please avoid coming directly to ED if you feel you might need to be treated for Covid-19 or you wish to have a test.

Getting an early diagnosis from your GP means you can get the help you need and take steps to avoid spreading the virus, if you have it.

Covid 19 symptoms

Fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)

• A new cough - this can be any kind of cough.
• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties    
• Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal   

Appointments and Elective procedures

Appointments and elective procedures are going ahead as usual and people should continue to come to their appointments unless advised otherwise.

Please do not attend for your appointment if:

• You have any signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Please see COVID-19 Information available for reference.
• You have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting a result.

Please telephone the number on your appointment letter and a new appointment will be arranged for you.

RCSI visiting restrictions

Maternity Department - Access for nominated support partner

Visiting hours

Visitors are welcome daily from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm. Visitors must use our online booking system to book a visit. Ward staff will help with any queries you may have about your booking. Two visitors per patient per day are permitted.

Visiting arrangements are kept under review and updated in line with Infection Prevention & Control Guidelines.

Inpatient, day case procedures and outpatient appointments

Day case procedures and outpatient appointments are proceeding as usual and people should come to their appointments unless advised otherwise.

However, anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 is a contact of someone with COVID-19 should not come to their appointment and should reschedule by contacting the number on their appointment letter.

Information for visitors 

Access for visitors is by appointment.

Visiting times are:

• 2.30pm to 4pm
• 6.30pm to 8.30pm

Limited visits in outbreak wards

If the hospital is managing an infectious outbreak on a ward then access to visitors will be limited to protect patients and visitors.

Visitors need to follow public health guidance and perform good hand hygiene regularly during their visit to the hospital.

Maternity department

Nominated support partner

• Nominated support partner of women in labour are welcome to attend.
• Nominated support partner can attend a caesarean section done under regional anaesthesia.

Ultrasound 2nd Trimester Scan

Nominated support partners are welcomed for all ultrasound examinations and specialised clinics (including anomaly ultrasound, early pregnancy and dating scans)

Antenatal Clinic

For routine antenatal clinics please discuss nominated support partner access with the Clinical Midwifery Manager before attending the appointment. This is due to the need to monitor capacity within the clinics and maintain social distancing.

Neonatal Unit

Parents are allowed to visit their infant in the neonatal unit.

Other partner access

All sensitive cases and high-risk cases are considered individually on compassionate grounds

Maternity Ward

• Nominated support partners can visit between 9am and 8pm.
• Before arriving at the unit the nominated partner will be screened for COVID-19 risk factors and no visiting will be permitted if any risk factors are present. Before admission to the unit a second screening for COVID -19 risk will be undertaken

All visitors must adhere to hand hygiene for the duration of the visit.

Do not visit the hospital if you have symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature, cough, shortness of breath, or loss or change to your sense of smell or taste).

Emergency Department 

You should only attend the emergency department (ED) if it is absolutely necessary. The hospital is very busy and there is an increase of COVID-19 cases in the Kerry area. 
Please think about going to your GP or pharmacy first as there may be long delays in our ED

Read more about when you should go to an emergency department

Visiting arrangements

Visiting Arrangement to University Hospital Kerry during the following hours are:

2pm to 4pm & 6pm to 8pm, DAILY - Monday to Sunday

30 min visits per patient

Visit by appointment only through the visiting co-ordinator. Phone 087 1138053

Maternity Department

Arrangements are in place in University Hospital Kerry Maternity Services in the interest of patient and public safety.

Nominated support persons are welcome to attend for:

• Early Pregnancy Scans (EPAU) 
• 12 week scan (booking scan)
• 20 week scan (anatomy scan)
• high risk scans
• Emergency presentations during pregnancy 

Parents can both attend separately when visiting infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or neonatal care unit

Nominated support persons are welcome at the maternity department as long as they:

• do not have symptoms of COVID-19
• are not suspected or confirmed as having COVID-19

Nominated support persons will not generally need to be tested for COVID-19 before attending the unit. But the maternity department is part of a bigger campus and testing may be needed in other parts of University Hospital Kerry.

Nominated support persons will not need to show proof that they have had a COVID-19 vaccine.

If the situation changes at the maternity department and stricter arrangements need to be put in place we will let women and their nominated support partners know.

• Visiting Times: Monday to Sunday, 2pm to 4pm and 6.30pm to 8.30pm
• Visits are strictly no longer than 30 minutes.
• Strictly no more than 2 people should visit a patient at any one time.
• At times there will be visiting restrictions to certain wards from infection control. These measures will be kept under review if there is an infection outbreak.
• End of life and compassionate visits are coordinated at ward/department level with the Clinical Nurse Manager/Nurse in Charge of the unit.

You Must:

• Use hand gel when entering and leaving the hospital and when entering and leaving the ward.
• Do not attend if you have any cold/flu/COVID symptoms
• Be mindful of other patients’ needs for rest and privacy.

Facemasks are provided and may be worn if you wish to do so but are not obligatory.

You may however be asked to wear a mask in certain areas of the hospital to protect you, our staff, and our patients

You may be denied entry due to national/local visiting restrictions, please do not be offended. This is to protect our patients, staff, and members of the public.

For further information visit the Naas Hospital website

Information for visitors

Due to increased infection control measures required at this time for Covid 19, St. Luke’s General Hospital will be temporarily suspending hospital visiting effective immediately except for those visiting the maternity unit and exceptional circumstances as determined by each ward manager.

Please see the following restrictions that are currently in place.

VISITING RESTRICTIONS

Maternity unit  – Remains Unchanged

- Partners can attend EPAU

- Partners can attend Booking Ultrasound

- Partners can attend high risk ante natal clinic visits based on an individual case by case basis with previous agreement

- Partners can attend Anomaly Ultrasound

- Partners can attend during the day if a woman is being induced or in early labour on the maternity ward

- Partners can attend when woman in labour ward

- Partners can attend for Caesarean Section

- Partners can attend 10-12 and 6-8 daily

- Parents can attend the SCBU by pre arranged appointments

- Outside of these times, sensitive cases will be discussed with the couple on an individual basis

Exceptional Circumstances :

Visiting will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances such as:

·       End Of Life Non-Covid-19 Patient - Only two nominated Relatives only;

·       End Of Life Covid-19 Patient – Only one nominated relative utilising correct PPE/hand hygiene/IPC advice etc.;

·       Critically ill patient (Only Two nominated Relatives only);

·       One parent only will be allowed visit children in the Paediatric Unit at any time.

·       Children should not visit the hospital.

·       The situation will be reviewed on an on-going basis and any further changes will be advised.

There are a number of Covid and non-Covid-19 patients presenting to the ED. We ask the public to consider their care options, if possible. Please consult with your GP or pharmacist before attending ED in St Luke’s General Hospital. However, if urgent care is required, patients should attend the hospital.

We advise patients to only attend the hospital ED if absolutely necessary and to not bring children (unless the children are ill).

St Luke’s General Hospital would like to assure people that anyone seriously injured or ill will be assessed and treated as a priority.

We’d also like to remind the general public that anyone who is experiencing Covid-19 like symptoms (see below) to please contact their GP in the first instance. Please avoid coming directly to ED if you feel you might need to be treated for Covid-19 or you wish to have a test.

Getting an early diagnosis from your GP means you can get the help you need and take steps to avoid spreading the virus, if you have it.

Covid 19 symptoms

Fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)

• A new cough - this can be any kind of cough.    
• Shortness of breath or breathing difficulties    
• Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal   

For all visiting

Visiting has been arranged at the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise in line with the guidance for the control of the spread of COVID-19 in Acute and Children’s Hospitals & COVID-19 Guidance on visiting Acute Hospitals. It is important that visitors accept personal responsibility with respect to their obligation to help protect the person they visit, other patients on the ward and the staff in the Hospital.

Visiting Times

Emergency Department – Due to limited space in our Emergency Department, there is no visiting, however in certain circumstances and in consultation with the Nursing Manager, one person may accompany the patient.

One visitor per patient can be accommodated in the following wards for a maximum of 30 minutes:

• Emo Court Ward - 3pm to 4pm / 6pm to 8pm
• Slieve Bloom Ward - 3pm to 4pm / 6pm to 8pm
• Dunamaise Ward – 3pm to 4pm / 6pm to 8pm
• Critical Care Department - 3pm to 4pm / 6pm to 8pm
• Transitional Care Unit, Abbeyleix 3pm-4pm/6pm-8pm.
• Paediatric Ward - 1 parent or relative should remain at all times during the child’s admission.

Maternity Ward – 6pm to 8pm. The Partner/Birthing Partner is permitted throughout the day with the exception of quiet time

Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) - Parents can visit freely without need to prearrange times

If we cannot facilitate visits due to COVID-19 safety guidelines, which may be at short notice, we will let you know why.

We will keep this under constant review. In full consideration of the safety of patients and families attending our services, we ask for your understanding and co-operation at this time.

On arrival to the hospital to see the Patient

• Please enter the hospital through the main entrance.
• You will be asked to please carry out hand hygiene.
• On the ward only visit your relative. You must not visit any other patient on the ward.
• Do not visit the hospital if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or influenza (high temperature, cough, shortness of breath, or loss or change to your sense of smell or taste).

The current visiting arrangements are kept under review and will be updated in line with national recommendations.

Maternity Services

We are managing access to the maternity services in accordance with the updated national guidance.

Every effort will be made so that your nominated support partner can be with you during the key stages of your pregnancy, labour and birth.

This includes:

• All partners can attend antenatal visits, including booking visits, anatomy scans and recall clinics
• your 12 and 20 week scans
• labour
• Partners can accompany their respective partners to the post-natal areas, there is no specific time limit. Also, partners can remain with their respective partners in theatre recovery
• Siblings and grandparents are facilitated to visit the maternity department.

A risk assessment is conducted if there is suspicion or confirmed case of Covid-19

If you see this symbol when visiting the wards please be aware of its importance. This spiral symbol means that a patient is imminently dying or has died. We would ask all visitors to be respectful and avoid mobile phone use and to be prepared to meet people who are grieving during your time on the ward.

Inpatient, day case procedures and outpatient appointments

Day case procedures and outpatient appointments are proceeding as usual and people should come to their appointments unless advised otherwise.

However, anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 is a contact of someone with COVID-19 should not come to their appointment and should reschedule by contacting the number on their appointment letter.

Information for visitors

You must make an appointment to visit a patient in the hospital. Patients identify who they would like to visit and staff then telephone the nominated support person and offer a time slot.

Anyone coming to the hospital must follow public health guidance and perform good hand hygiene regularly.

Limited visits in outbreak wards

If the hospital is managing an infectious outbreak on a ward then access to visitors will be limited to protect patients and visitors.

Maternity department

• A nominated support partner is welcome to attend for support in labour.
• A nominated support partner is welcome to attend for caesarean section done under regional anaesthesia.
• Nominated support partner access is possible between 8am and 9pm, apart from clinical activities including ward rounds.
• Nominated support partner will be facilitated between 9pm and 8am if delivery is anticipated or due to distressing circumstances.
• If delivery is after 9pm partners may stay for 1 hour.

The nominated support partner must remain at the bedside and is not permitted in other areas of the maternity ward.

Ultrasound Scan Appointments

Nominated support partners may attend the booking/dating scan and second trimester scan. A nominated support partner may attend early pregnancy scans.

Other nominated support partner access

All sensitive cases and high risk cases are considered individually on compassionate grounds.

Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)

• Open visiting for mothers. Nominated support partners are permitted to visit daily. Visiting must be arranged in advance with the person in charge.
• To facilitate social distancing within the unit, only one parent may visit at a time.

Visiting hours:

Daily:

• 2pm to 4pm
• 6pm to 7.30pm

Coming to the hospital
On the day of your appointment, you should attend the hospital on your own, but if this is not possible, 1 relative or carer may come with you. Please arrive at the time that is on your appointment letter.

Patients who are travelling from a distance or dependent on public transport to attend our clinics are advised to let us know this when we call. We will try to arrange your appointment, so you do not have to wait around the hospital for long periods.

The following buses travel to the Hospital; NX, 109, 190 service Navan and the N1 (Red) and N2 (Purple) are the town bus service with a stop directly across from the hospital.

There’s a coffee dock on site in the Hospital, selling papers, confectionary, baked goods, crisps and drinks.

Appointments and Elective procedures

Appointments and elective procedures are going ahead as usual and people should continue to come to their appointments unless advised otherwise.

Please do not attend for your appointment if:

• You have any signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Please see COVID-19 Information available for reference.
• You have been tested for COVID-19 and are awaiting a result.

Please telephone the number on your appointment letter and a new appointment will be arranged for you.

Visiting restrictions

Maternity Service

The rest period for mothers is in place from 1pm to 5pm.

Nominated support partners can:

• attend the Early Pregnancy Unit department when their partner is having their scan
• attend for the 12 week scan
• attend for the 20 week scan
• be with the mother through labour, birth or caesarean section
• visit the Ante-Natal and Post-Natal ward every from 10am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm

COVID-19 compliance

Visitors will need to complete a questionnaire on COVID-19 and other contagious health conditions. 

This completed form should to be given to a staff member in the ward to be placed in the patients’ notes.

Visiting arrangements for all areas

• Visits are between 3pm to 4.30pm and 6.30pm to 8.00pm.
• Strictly no more than 2 people should visit a patient at any one time.
• There is no need for visitors to book a visit.
• Family and friends are requested not to visit if they feel unwell especially with any respiratory or flu like symptoms or with vomiting/ diarrhoea.
• Visitors are requested to use hand gel when entering and leaving the hospital and when entering and leaving a ward.
• Visitors are requested to remain within the bed space of the patient they are visiting. Visitors should be mindful of other patients’ needs for rest and privacy.
• End of life and compassionate visits are coordinated at ward/department level with the Clinical Nurse Manager / Nurse in Charge of the unit.
• At times there will be visiting restrictions to certain wards from infection control. These measures will be kept under review if there is an infection outbreak.

Inpatient, Day Case Procedures and Outpatient Appointments

Day case procedures and outpatient appointments are proceeding as usual and people should come to their appointments unless advised otherwise.

However, anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 is a contact of someone with COVID-19 should not come to their appointment and should reschedule by contacting the number on their appointment letter.

The Roscommon Injury Unit continues to be available to treat minor injuries and the Medical Assessment Unit is available for GP referrals.

Visiting Arrangements

Visits must be pre-arranged by family members or visitors, who should contact the relevant ward or unit in advance:

• St Bridget’s Ward - 090 6632214/15
• St Teresa’s Ward - 090 6632253/30
• St Coman’s Ward - 090 6632223/25

Limited visits in outbreak wards

If the hospital is managing an infectious outbreak on a ward then access to visitors will be limited to protect patients and visitors.

Visitors will be required to follow public health guidance and perform good hand hygiene regularly during their visit to the hospital.

Inpatient, Day Case Procedures and Outpatient Appointments

Day case procedures and outpatient appointments are proceeding as usual and people should come to their appointments unless advised otherwise.

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 is a contact of someone with COVID-19 not come to their appointment and should reschedule by contacting the number on their appointment letter.

Information for visitors

Visiting time is from 6pm to 8pm.

Limited visits in outbreak wards

If the hospital is managing an infectious outbreak on a ward then access to visitors will be limited to protect patients and visitors.

Anyone coming to the hospital must follow the public health guidance and good hand hygiene regularly.

Maternity Department

We are facilitating the following access for nominated support partner or parents:

• Nominated support partners can attend for the induction of labour and assessments for early labour.
• Nominated support partners are welcome for the duration of the labour, delivery and postnatally while in delivery suite.
• Nominated support partners can attend a caesarean section done under regional anaesthesia, subject to screening questions and wearing PPE (surgical mask and gown) in the theatre.
• Nominated support partner access is possible between 8am and 9pm, apart from clinical activities including ward rounds.
• Nominated support partner will be facilitated between 9pm and 8am if delivery is anticipated or due to compassionate circumstances.
• Nominated support partners can attend for all ultrasound scans.
• In order to maintain safe social distancing, appointments may need to be scheduled or a nominated support partner may need to wait in a separate area, depending on maternity ward activity levels on any given day.

USS scanning

A nominated support partner may attend all pregnancy ultrasound scans including EPAU.

Neonatal Unit

Unrestricted access for parents between 8.30am and 7.30pm.

Appointments may need to be scheduled depending on NICU activity levels on any given day to maintain safe social distancing.

Other partner access

All sensitive cases and high risk cases are considered individually on compassionate grounds.

Do not visit the hospital if you have symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature, cough, shortness of breath, or loss or change to your sense of smell or taste).

The current guidance is kept under review and is updated in line with national recommendations.

Visiting arrangements

• Visiting is between 2pm and 4pm every day
• 1 visitor unless there is an arrangement with the Ward / Unit Manager.
• Please tell Security staff on arrival where you are going. 
• Please comply with any infection prevention and control precautions such as mask wearing, use of alcogel etc.
• Please note that at any time a ward may be in Outbreak and in such instance visiting is not facilitated to that ward
• If the hospital is experiencing a significant number of Outbreaks visiting may be restricted with visiting only facilitated in exceptional circumstances by arrangement with the Ward or Unit Manager.
• If this happens, you can drop off or collect patients’ belongings to the designated area in the Main Foyer. Please make sure that any drop off is labelled.
• Do not come to the hospital if you feel unwell or have cold or flu symptoms, vomiting or diarrhoea.
• Special arrangements will be made for very unwell patients or patients with exceptional circumstances – these arrangements should be made directly between family members and the Ward or Unit Manager.

Maternity department

Nominated support partners are welcome to attend for:

• 12 week scan
• 20 week scan
• emergency presentations
• labour and childbirth
• other appointments or attendances that may be stressful or upsetting

Visiting by nominated partners is flexible and facilitated daily by arrangement with the Clinical Nurse Manager

People accessing the hospital need to abide by the various measures in place. Relatives of patients should identify one person who will be the contact for the relevant unit or ward.

Visiting Arrangements

• Visiting times are 2.30pm to 3.30pm and 6.30pm to 8pm. Two visitors per patient are allowed during each visiting period.
• Wash your hands regularly when visiting.
• Stay within the bed space of the patient you are visiting. Do not interact with other visitors or patients.
• Do not visit the hospital if you feel unwell, especially if you have any respiratory or flu like symptoms, or have vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Children under 12 years should only visit in exceptional circumstances. They need permission in advance from the Ward Manager.

Current Visiting Guidelines by Ward / Unit

Covid Positive In-Patients

• Visiting will only by facilitated via Ward Manager in exceptional circumstances.

Medical and Surgical Wards

• Visitors need to check in at security when they arrive.
• There may be a requirement to control access to RHM in view of the evolving Public Health situation.

Rehabilitation Unit

• Visiting is facilitated by arrangement with the Rehab Ward Manager.

Maternity Wards

• Nominated support partner can attend the EPU department when their partner is having their scan.
• Nominated support partner can attend the 12 week scan.
• Nominated support partner can attend the 20 week scan.   
• Nominated support partner can be with the mother through labour, birth or caesarean section.
• Nominated support partner may visit Ante-Natal and Post Natal Ward daily from 10am to 1pm and from 5pm to 8pm.
• Siblings of the new-born may visit with nominated partner between 6pm to 8pm.
• Rest period for mothers in place from 1pm to 5pm.

Special Care Baby Unit

• Parents can visit their baby in the Special Care Baby Unit. Mother can visit and partner is permitted to visit following arrangement with the Ward Manager.

Paediatric Ward

• One parent, guardian or carer is supported to be with their child during the hospital admission. 
• The accompanying person must not have symptoms of Covid-19, must not be a suspected or a confirmed case of Covid-19 and must not be subject to restricted movements for any other Public Health reason.

Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

• Visiting is facilitated by arrangement with the ICU Ward Manager or nurse in charge.

Critical & Compassionate Grounds

• On critical and compassionate grounds, further visits can be arranged through the relevant Ward Manager.

Wexford General Hospital

Emergency Department

The Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Minor Injury Unit

The unit is open every day from 8am to 10pm.

It treats:

• injuries to upper and lower limbs
• broken bones
• minor head injuries
• sprains
• bruises and wounds

Phone 053 915 3313 or 087 911 9057 for an appointment.

Paediatric Assessment Unit

The unit is open every day from 8am to 10pm.

It treats children under 16 for:

• sprains, strains or broken bones
• minor burns or scalds
• small cuts or injuries
• mild asthma
• fever
• sore throat
• vomiting
• diarrhoea

It will also treat children under 8 with abdominal pain.

You will need a GP referral. Or phone 086 104 1628 for an appointment.

The unit is in Wexford General Hospital's Emergency Department building.

Acute Medical Assessment Unit

The unit is open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 7pm.

You will need a GP referral and must be over 16.

The unit is in Wexford General Hospital’s Emergency Department building.   

Scheduled and elective surgeries

All scheduled and elective surgeries have been cancelled or moved to Ely Hospital. You will be contacted directly if you are impacted.

Minor operations and endoscopy services have been moved to Ely Hospital.

Time-critical surgeries and emergency surgeries are being done in private hospitals.

Maternity care services

Up to 20 weeks pregnant

Advice is available from the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit.

Phone 053 915 3005 or 053 915 3106

Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm

More than 20 weeks pregnant

If you are over 20 weeks pregnant, you can access the maternity services in Wexford General Hospital.

Phone 053 915 3368 at any time.

You can access the maternity delivery suite through the Herbert Amon Unit.

After the birth

You can attend the Herbert Amon Unit up to 42 days after giving birth.

Phone 053 915 3368 before attending.