Ban on Visiting - Waterford Regional Hospital

Wednesday, 16th May 2012

Complete Ban on Visiting Remains in Place at Waterford Regional Hospital

In the interests of patient care and as a precaution, a full ban on visiting remains in place at Waterford Regional Hospital over the weekend, in a bid to curb suspected cases of the Norovirus (vomiting bug).

Visiting to all wards at Waterford Regional Hospital is prohibited apart from:

- Exceptional circumstances, which includes critical care patients.

- Maternity/Gynae visiting is restricted to partners/designated person only.

- Parents/Guardians will only be permitted to Childrens' Ward.

- Strictly no children allowed visit the hospital.

Please note the following arrangements are in place for people accessing the hospital over the weekend:

Day time access to the hospital will be via the Emergency Department entrance for Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th May 2012 during the hours of 7am to 10pm.

Night time access to the hospital will revert to the Front Entrance from 10pm to 7am.

Waterford Regional Hospital regrets this inconvenience but it is necessary at this time to prevent the spread of these illnesses to both patients and staff. Where appropriate, mobile phone contact between families should be considered as an alternative to visiting.

Cancer Services, Emergency Services and Outpatient Services will continue as normal. The situation is being kept under daily review. Patients coming to Outpatient Services (Clinics) are requested to bring their appointment letter with them.

The hospital is also asking the public that only genuine emergencies should present at the Emergency Department (ED) in Waterford Regional Hospital and where possible that people should consult their GP or Caredoc service before coming to the ED.

Ms. Patricia Sullivan, General Manager, Waterford Regional Hospital is asking the general public for their co-operation with the visiting restrictions and reiterated how important it is for patients that these infection control measures are respected:

"The vomiting bug is currently in the community and people may unknowingly bring the bug into the hospital when visiting sick relatives or friends. I would appeal to the public to co-operate with the restrictions currently in place and advise anyone who have been affected by vomiting and/or diarrhoea, or anyone who has had contact with persons with these symptoms, not to visit hospital until they have been symptom free for 72 hours. Patient care is our priority and we would urge the public to help hospital staff keep the virus at bay as it can further debilitate those who are already sick in hospital."

The vomiting bug known as Noro-Virus usually causes short-lasting outbreaks of abdominal pain and nausea followed by diarrhoea and/or vomiting. It is usually quite mild and rarely causes severe problems, however it may be quite unpleasant and debilitating in small children or older people who are already ill or infirm.