Dublin hospitals under pressure amid flu surge, HSE says

The HSE Dublin and Midlands wishes to advise that all acute hospitals within this region are experiencing a high number of patients with respiratory viral illnesses, such as Influenza, RSV and COVID-19.

Hospitals affected are Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise, Naas General Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, Regional Hospital Mullingar and Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore.

In order to reduce the spread of these illnesses in the healthcare setting some of the hospitals are implementing visiting restrictions. These measures will be lifted as soon as possible when clinical circumstances allow. Certain exceptions will be made by contacting ward staff in advance. For up-to-date guidelines on visiting patients, please visit: https://www2.hse.ie/services/disruptions/

The HSE Dublin and Midlands REO Kate Killeen White, “Hospitals are implementing visiting restrictions. In some cases there is only visiting on compassionate grounds or visiting is limited to 1/2 person per patient during normal visiting times. We are asking people to only visit patients at the hospital or other health care residential setting, like nursing homes, if you are symptom free from flu or other respiratory illness. Please visit the HSE website for specific information and regular updates.

While hospitals are busy, staff are caring for many seriously ill patients all over the Christmas. We would ask patients with non-emergency conditions to seek assistance from other parts of the health service”.

She said, “there are a range of care pathways available to patients who do not need emergency care including visiting your pharmacy for advice on common minor illnesses.  Find out more at www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/pharmacy/  It also advises that if you urgently need to see a GP outside of normal hours, contact the local GP Out of Hours service – https://www2.hse.ie/services/find-urgent-emergency-care/