Visiting restrictions are currently in place at both Sligo and Roscommon Hospitals and a number of other medical facilities in the region.
These restrictions are being put in place as an infection control measure and will apply to:
University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital
Portiuncula University Hospital
Roscommon University Hospital
Mayo University Hospital
Sligo University Hospital
Letterkenny University Hospital
A spokesperson for the Saolta Group stated, “We are asking the public not to visit any hospital other than end of life situations and other exceptional circumstances as agreed with the ward manager in advance of visiting. To arrange a visit, families should telephone the hospital and request to speak to the relevant ward manager who will decide if a visit can be facilitated without compromising the welfare of the patients on the ward. Children in particular should not visit patients in hospital.
“We recognise that the visiting restrictions may be challenging for patients and their families, however, our priority must be to protect the patients in our hospitals who are vulnerable to infection. We would like to thank members of the public for their co-operation.”
Sligo University Hospital is also deferring all procedures and appointments with the exception of very urgent inpatient, day surgery, diagnostics tests and outpatient appointments from this morning until further notice.
This is to ensure that the hospitals have the necessary capacity to deal with any increase in suspected and confirmed COVID 19 cases.
According to a Saolta spokesperson: “A small number of urgent cancer and time critical procedures, appointments or tests will proceed and these patients will advised directly by the hospitals”.
“Patients are asked not to attend the hospital unless they have had confirmation from the hospital that their appointment is going ahead”.
“We would also ask these patients not to bring anyone with them unless it is absolutely necessary and children are not permitted to attend with patients”.
“We regret the impact that these deferrals will have on our patients but they are necessary in order to deal with the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19).”
Meanwhile, visiting restrictions remain in place at all nursing homes in the area.
