Visiting Restrictions Placed On Galway Hospital

Visiting restrictions have been put in place at the University Hospital Galway following an outbreak of a winter vomiting bug.

According to reports, a number of patients at the hospital are already showing symptoms of the virus and staff are now trying to stop the spread of the bug.

Releasing a number of guidelines, the hospital said that people should avoid visiting the hospital unless it is "absolutely necessary". They added that parents should not bring young children to the hospital for visits if at all possible, while those who are visiting should use the allocated visiting times and appropriate hygiene procedures.

Of those who believe they may have the virus, they are encouraged to contact their GP, rather than visit the hospital.

Ann Cosgrove, General Manager, Galway University Hospitals, is quoted by the Irish Independent as saying: "There are a number of patients in the hospital with symptoms of the 'Winter Vomiting Virus' and, as a precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of the virus to visitors and to other parts of the hospital, we are appealing to the public not to visit the hospital at this time.

"The hospital is under tremendous pressure and 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 to avoid visiting the hospital and not to visit if they are ill themselves at present or have been recently.

"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. Also, we ask that you please do not bring children to visit the hospital unless absolutely necessary."

(JP/IT)