Further visiting restrictions imposed at Kilkenny hospital

Due to ongoing Covid-19 and flu outbreaks at St Luke’s General Hospital, the following visiting restrictions have been deemed necessary to curtail the transmission and spread of both Covid-19 and flu:

• Visiting time has been reduced for all patients (excluding critical care, maternity, paediatrics and end-of-life care patients) to 30 mins / one daily visit / one person only / per patient during the current visiting hours. It will be necessary for families to coordinate their visit as the 30 mins / one daily visit / one person only / per patient during the current visiting hours rule will rigidly apply in almost all areas for the hospital until further notice.
• Visitors who have symptoms of cold, flu and or Covid-19 must not visit patients as this can further add to the spread of flu and Covid-19 virus to other vulnerable patients and staff within the hospital.
• All visitors must wear a surgical mask for the duration of their visit with their relative and follow hand hygiene before and after their visit.
• Patients who have smart phones are encouraged to use social media for family contact due to the reduction of direct face to face visits.

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The hospital is aware of the need of patients to have a direct visit per day however it also has a duty to try and protect vulnerable patients and staff members from contracting flu and Covid-19 virus within the hospital.

Certain patients in critical care and patients with end-of-life care needs will have separate visiting arrangements subject to agreement with the relevant ward manager, however, all visitors will need to be conscious of their own safety with the high levels of Covid-19 and flu circulating within the hospital and to comply with the 30 mins / one daily visit / one person only / per patient during the current visiting hours.

The management and staff of the hospital wish to thank the general public for their support at this challenging time, and state that as soon as the situation improves, the visiting restrictions will be reviewed accordingly.