People who have had diarrhoea or vomiting recently are urged not to visit University Hospital Galway in a bid to keep the winter vomiting virus out of the facility.
A number of wards at the regional hospital, closed because of the virus, have re-opened and visitor restrictions in place since the end of November have been lifted.
Tony Canavan, chief operating officer, Galway and Roscommon University Hospital Group says normal visiting hours have resumed and the outbreak is considered to be over.
“However we are asking visitors to help us keep this virus out of the hospital. Our advice is that you do not visit patients at any time if you have diarrhoea or vomiting, or if you have had diarrhoea or vomiting in the last two days or if anyone in your household has had diarrhoea or vomiting in the last two days.”
He says the hospital is under tremendous pressure and will continue to be during the winter. “We simply cannot afford to lose beds because of virus outbreaks. Patients and staff have to come in and out and we manage that risk as best we can. However, there is a lot of unnecessary traffic through the hospital and we ask people not to visit if they are ill themselves or have been recently. Also we ask that you please do not bring children to visit the hospital unless absolutely necessary.”
The HSE West offers the following guidelines for visitors:-
Ongoing advice
· Visiting hours are strictly from 2pm to 4pm and from 6.30pm to 8.30pm;
· People who are unwell or have vomiting or diarrhoea or have had vomiting or diarrhoea in the last two days, should not visit the hospital;
· Children should not be brought to the hospital to visit unless absolutely necessary;
· Visitors should refrain from moving from one section of the hospital to another;
· Visitors should wash their hands thoroughly before entering or leaving the inpatient area, or after a visit to the toilet;
· People who have symptoms such as an “upset tummy” should not attend the hospital but contact their GP in the first instance if they have serious concerns.
