VISITING RESTRICTIONS at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) have been eased but now must be booked online in advance.
UL Hospitals Group on Monday announced that visiting for inpatients at UHL has resumed after levels of respiratory illness in the community continued to decline from their January 2023 peak.
Hospital management stated that the transmission of respiratory illness such as COVID-19 remains a threat and “every precaution” must be taken “to keep inpatients and their loved ones, and our staff, safe from the threat of infection”.
Visiting hours at UHL are 2-4 and 6-9pm daily, and must be booked via the online booking system. Visits are limited to one visitor per patient per day, in line with public health guidelines and infection prevention & control
“We are sorry for the inconvenience and anxiety to patients impacted by the visiting restrictions of the past month, which were necessary to protect all patients and staff in the hospital. Visiting restrictions remain in place in the hospital’s Emergency Department, Acute Surgical Assessment Unit, and Acute Medical Assessment Unit,” a spokesperson for UL Hospitals Group stated.
Exceptions include parents visiting children in hospital, people assisting confused patients such as those with dementia, compassionate grounds like patients who are critically unwell or at end of life. All exemptions are limited to one person per patient, and will be looked at on a case by case basis.
Visitors must adhere to the basic public health safety measures that help prevent transmission of COVID-19 in healthcare settings. Visitors must wear a face mask, which are available at the hospital entrance, and observe hand hygiene.