Visiting times have changed at University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park Hospital, with visitors now allowed access to patients between 2pm and 3pm, and in the evening from 6pm until 7pm.
Access to visitors is still limited to one person per patient each day, and visits must be pre-arranged by contacting the relevant ward or unit in advance.
Visitors to all hospitals will be asked to produce their EU Digital COVID Certificate or HSE COVID-19 Vaccination Record or other proof of immunity at the entrance.
They may also be asked to show some photo ID to prove that the proof of immunity is theirs.
There are separate arrangements in place for access to the maternity department for nominated support partners.
There are exemptions from the requirement for the EU Digital COVID Certificate or HSE COVID-19 Vaccination Record or other proof of immunity, on compassionate grounds.
Children may not visit the hospital unless agreed in advance, on compassionate grounds, with the ward / unit manager.
Ms Chris Kane, Hospital Manager, Galway University Hospitals, said that they know how important it is for patients to have a visitor every day.
She said that they are trying to balance this need with the need to reduce the footfall in the hospital due to the current high number of COVID-19 cases in the community.
“Any person who accesses a hospital may unintentionally introduce COVID-19, so we are trying to limit the number of people who access the hospitals as far as is reasonably practical,” said Ms Kane.
“If you are a nominated support person (visitor) for a patient in the hospital, we ask that you do not visit the hospital if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, have been in contact with anyone with COVID-19 or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.
“We are grateful to the public for their ongoing co-operation in ensuring we can facilitate visiting in a safe manner to protect both patients and visitors.”
