FLU and COVID-19 outbreaks have prompted management of University Hospital Limerick to close to visitors.
Long waits for non-urgent care have been reported with UHL managing high attendances at its emergency department.
On Monday, UL Hospitals Group confirmed that it will be closed to inpatient visiting “for the next number of days, while the hospital manages multiple outbreaks of COVID-19 and influenza across the site, which remains extremely busy this morning”.
A total of seven wards are presently affected by the outbreaks. As a precautionary measure, a decision has been reached to close off the hospital to visitors.
“All appropriate infection control precautions are being followed to minimise the risk of spreading infection among staff and patients in the hospital, and also within the wider community. The situation is being monitored and reviewed daily, and we will relax the restrictions as soon as it is safe to do so,” a spokesperson confirmed.
Family and friends are also asked not to visit inpatient relatives or loved ones outdoors on the grounds of the hospital due to infection transmission risks.
Daily attendances at UHL’s ED over the past week averaged at 232. “These patients are presenting with more severe and complex illnesses than heretofore, and a higher proportion of admitted patients are requiring longer stays for treatment and recovery.
“We continue to work our Escalation Plan in managing this continued surge in demand for emergency care, but long waits for non-urgent care in the Emergency Department are inevitable. For non-urgent care, people should 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. More information on Injury Units is available here. However, please note that if you are seriously injured or ill or are worried your life is at risk, the ED will assess and treat you as a priority”.
Exception to visiting restrictions include:
- 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.
