Visiting restrictions have been put in place at Sligo University hospital due to an outbreak of Covid-19 at the facility.
Management has confirmed that due to outbreaks, as well as community transmission cases, visiting to the affected wards will be facilitated on compassionate grounds, on an exceptional basis only.
Access for visitors to all other wards is by appointment only, between 6pm and 8pm each day, and the visits must be pre-arranged by family members / visitors who should contact the relevant ward in advance.
According to the latest data from the HSE, 45 people are receiving treatment for Covid in the north-west hospital - the forth-highest figure in the country.
Management is offering apologies for long wait times as the hospital’s ED is also under pressure this afternoon - with 32 people on trolleys as of this morning’s INMO Trolleywatch figures.
The full hospital statement is below:
Due to outbreaks of COVID-19 at the hospital along with a high number of cases in the community, visiting restriction have been put in place at Sligo University Hospital from today, Monday 28 February.
The hospital is currently dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks impacting a number of wards. Visiting to the affected wards will be facilitated on compassionate grounds, on an exceptional basis only. To arrange a visit on compassionate grounds, please contact the ward manager in advance.
Access for visitors to all other wards is by appointment only, between 6pm and 8pm each day, and the visits must be pre-arranged by family members / visitors who should contact the relevant ward in advance.
SUH request that all visitors wear a surgical mask while in the hospital and to use the hand gel regularly during their visit to the hospital.
Anyone who is planning to visit the hospital is asked to delay their visit if they 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.
There are separate arrangements in place for access to the maternity department for nominated support partners.
The Emergency Department (ED) at Sligo University Hospital is also extremely busy today with a high number of people attending.
There is ongoing pressure on bed availability in the hospital and we regret that many patients are currently experiencing long waiting times to be admitted from the ED to an acute bed in the hospital.
We are committed to treating everyone who presents at our ED but we do so strictly in order of medical priority and apologise for the long wait times.
Given the volume of patients attending the Emergency Department, the hospital is asking the public to contact their GP during normal surgery hours or the Caredoc service in the first instance if their health problem is not urgent.
