Restrictions remain in place at Kilkenny hospital

People are being asked to stay away from St Luke’s General Hospital in Kilkenny unless it is an emergency as staff try to reduce the spread of Flu, Covid 19 and RSV viruses.

Strict visitor restrictions have also being imposed and there is a limit of one visitor per patient. A spokesperson confirmed that the hospital is currently experiencing a high number of people presenting with respiratory viral illness. The restrictions are in place to stop the spread of a number of viruses among patients and staff at the hospital.

In a statement issued by St Luke’s Hospital a spokesperson said that only one visitor will be permitted per patient during visiting hours, with certain exceptions to be made by contacting the ward staff in advance.

These measures will be kept under review.

In addition, where possible, the hospital are asking people with non-emergency conditions to consider alternative options such as pharmacies, GP’s and out of hours doctor services.

Nationally according to the latest Trolley Watch figures, compiled by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation 466 admitted patients were waiting for beds on New Year’s Eve. 351 patients are waiting in the emergency department, while 115 are in wards elsewhere in the hospital.

Yesterday (Tuesday) morning there were ten patients on trolleys at St Luke’s Hospital, while on Monday there were 15 people waiting on trolleys.