University Hospital Limerick is closed to visiting due to COVID-19 and Flu outbreaks.
The hospital is also experiencing high attendance numbers at the Emergency Department with daily attendances across the past week averaging approximately 232 patients.
Hospital management says there are multiple outbreaks of COVID-19 and influenza across the site.
Seven wards are currently affected, and on the recommendation of the outbreak teams the decision to stop all visits has been taken as a precautionary measure in the interests of patient and staff safety.
Hospital management apologises to all patients and their loved ones who will be impacted.
The situation is being monitored and reviewed daily, the restrictions will be relaxed as soon as it is safe to do so.
The only exceptions to the visiting restrictions are:
– Parents visiting children in hospital
– People assisting confused patients (e.g. dementia) (on a case-by-case basis)
– People visiting patients who are critically unwell or at end of life (on a case-by-case basis)
All exemptions are limited to one person per patient only.
Hospital management are also asking people not to visit inpatient relatives or loved ones outdoors in the grounds of the hospital, as this can also present infection transmission risks.
Those seeking non-urgent health care are asked to consider all available care options, including family doctors, local pharmacies and out-of-hours GP services. Injury units in Ennis and Nenagh Hospitals are open 8am-8pm, and in St John’s 8am-7pm, seven days a week. These units are for the treatment of broken bones, dislocations, sprains strains, wounds, scalds and minor burns. Anyone with serious injuries or seriously ill are assured that the Emergency Department will assess such patients and treat as a priority.
526 admitted patients experienced delays in getting admitted, Trolley Watch figures from the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) show.
434 patients are waiting in Emergency Departments nationwide, while 92 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital.
Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel reports 18 patients without a bed while University Hospital Limerick, which serves North Tipperary has 54 patients on trolleys, and a further 30 on hospital wards.
Cork reports 39 patients on trolleys while St. Luke’s in Kilkenny has 21 patients on trolleys adn a further 11 accommodated in the hospital.
University Hospital Galway has 36 patients on trolleys.
The issue of hospital overcrowding is to be raised at the Oireachtas Health Committee on Wednesday when the INMO will make a presentation on the crisis.
