Women in labour and those having a caesarean section under regional anesthesia, will be able to have their partners with them under a partial easing of restrictions at Galway University Hospitals.
On Monday, a range of changes were introduced to partially ease visiting restrictions at both University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital.
Both hospitals can facilitate one visitor per inpatient each day. Visiting times will be from 2pm to 3pm and 7pm to 8pm each day. Only one visit per patient per day can be facilitated.
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Visits must be pre-arranged by family members/visitors, who should contact the relevant ward or unit in advance. Visitors will be required to complete a screening checklist regarding Covid-19, on entry to the hospital.
Visitors must follow public health guidance, including wearing a face mask and performing good hand hygiene regularly, during their visit. It is preferable if a visitor has received a Covid-19 vaccination. It is also recommended that children do not visit the hospitals, unless agreed in advance on compassionate grounds, with the ward/unit manager.
Changes to maternity visiting at UHG
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The Maternity Department at UHG will facilitate access to partners of women in labour. Partners can also attend a caesarean section done under regional anaesthesia. Partners will be subject to screening questions and wearing PPE.
Partners may visit St Catherine’s Ward and St Angela’s Ward from 2pm to 3pm and from 7pm to 8pm. Parents of an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit may visit, one parent at a time. Fathers can visit for two hours. A partner or support person may attend for the dating scan (12 to 13 weeks ) and the anomaly (20 week ) scan.
Partners must wear a face mask at all times, maintain social distancing and use the available hand gel to clean their hands regularly. The changes are in line with guidance issued by the HSE.
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The partial easing of restrictions has been welcomed by the deputy Mayor of Galway, Green Party Galway City Central councillor, Martina O’Connor [pictured above].
“Patients benefit greatly from the unique support and the physical proximity of their loved ones during the stress of a hospital admission,” she said. “I particularly welcome the clarification and improvement in support pregnant people will now have at every stage of the maternity journey.”
