UPDATE: Full visitor ban now implemented at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny

A full visitor ban is now in place across St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny from this morning.

Yesterday, the hospital introduced restrictions in four wards following outbreaks of Covid-19 and Norovirus. However, an update has now been issued, and it will see visitor restrictions to now include all wards across the hospital.

The exceptions of Maternity and End-of-Life still apply. 

READ MORE: Trolley numbers - the wait for a bed continues

Exceptional Circumstances: 

Visiting will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances such as: 

• End Of Life Non-Covid-19 Patient - Only two nominated Relatives, 
• End Of Life Covid-19 Patient – Only one nominated relative utilising correct PPE/hand hygiene/IPC advice etc,
• Critically ill patient (Only Two nominated Relatives only),

One parent only will be allowed visit children in the Paediatric Unit at any time. Children should not visit the hospital. 

Visiting to the Maternity Unit remains unchanged. Details below:

• Partners can attend EPAU  
• Partners can attend Booking Ultrasound  
• Partners can attend high risk ante natal clinic visits based on an individual case by case basis with previous agreement.  
• Partners can attend Anomaly Ultrasound  
• Partners can attend during the day if a woman is being induced or in early labour on the maternity ward  
• Partners can attend when woman in labour ward  
• Partners can attend for Caesarean Section  
• Partners can attend 10-12 and 6-8 daily  
• Parents can attend the SCBU by pre-arranged appointments  

Outside of these times, sensitive cases will be discussed with the couple on an individual basis.

All other visiting is one visitor per patient for 30 mins per day.

The situation will be reviewed on an on-going basis and any further changes will be advised.  

There are a number of Covid and non-Covid-19 patients presenting to the ED. We ask the public to consider their care options, if possible. Please consult with your GP or pharmacist before attending ED in St Luke’s General Hospital. However, if urgent care is required, patients should attend the hospital.    

We advise patients to only attend the hospital ED if absolutely necessary and to not bring children (unless the children are ill).  

St Luke’s General Hospital would like to assure people that anyone seriously injured or ill will be assessed and treated as a priority.    

Management and staff would like to thank the public for their patience at this time.