Visiting Restrictions eased at Galway University Hospitals

Galway University Hospitals, in line with guidance issued by national HSE, will be implementing changes to visiting arrangements at both University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital with effect from Monday 21st June 2021.

From Monday, the hospitals will be facilitating 1 visitor per inpatient each day. Visiting times will be from 2pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 8pm each day. Only 1 visit per patient per day can be facilitated at the present time. Visits must be pre-arranged by family members / visitors, who should contact the relevant ward or Unit in advance.

Visitors will be required to complete a screening checklist regarding COVID-19, on entry to the hospital.

It is really important that visitors continue to follow all the public health guidance, including wearing a face mask and performing good hand hygiene regularly, during a visit to the hospital.

Galway University Hospitals are also requesting that where possible, approved visitors will have received a COVID-19 vaccination, in order to minimise the risk to patients. It is also recommended that children do not visit the hospitals, unless agreed in advance on compassionate grounds, with the ward / Unit manager.

Guidelines on Maternity Visiting at UHG

As part of the hospital’s response to COVID-19, visitor restrictions were introduced to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and protect all mothers, babies and healthcare staff.

These restrictions are under continual review taking into account community transmission rates, local infrastructure within the unit and staffing.

The Maternity Department at University Hospital Galway is currently facilitating the following access for birthing partners/parents, which is in line with recent national guidance on visiting restrictions.

• Birthing partners of women in labour are welcome to attend and partners can attend a caesarean section done under regional anaesthesia. Partners will be subject to screening questions and wearing PPE.
• Partners may visit St Catherine’s Ward and St Angela’s Ward from 2pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 8pm.
• Parents of an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit may visit, one parent at a time. Fathers can visit for 2 hours.
• A partner or support person may attend for the Dating scan (12 to 13+6 week) and the anomaly (20 week) scan.

If a partner has COVID-19 symptoms, is awaiting a COVID-19 test or test result or has had a positive test within the last 14 days they must not come to the hospital. In this event an alternative birth partner may attend.

Partners must wear a face mask at all times, maintain social distancing and use the available hand gel to clean their hands regularly.

The details of the visiting restrictions in the Maternity Departments are updated regularly on the HSE website at: https://www2.hse.ie/services/health-service-disruptions/hospital-appointments.html