Visiting Update for Galway University Hospitals

Following a review of visiting times at University Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital, from Wednesday 01 December, visiting will now be permitted during the following times:

• 2pm – 3pm
• 6pm – 7pm

Access to visitors is limited to one person per patient each day. Visits must be pre-arranged by family members / visitors, who should contact the relevant ward or unit in advance.

Following new national guidance on visiting, 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. Visitors may 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

Anyone coming to the hospital must complete a COVID-19 screening checklist and follow the public health guidance, including wearing a face mask and performing good hand hygiene regularly.

Ms Chris Kane, Hospital Manager, Galway University Hospitals said, “We know how important it is for patients to have a visitor every day and we 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.

“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."