DUBLIN’S THREE main maternity hospitals will tomorrow introduce restricted visiting policies in an attempt to minimise the risk of human swine flu infection.
The Coombe Women’s Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital and the National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street, said visiting will be restricted to the partner of, or one nominated visitor for, expectant mothers, new mothers and gynaecology in-patients.
Under the new policies, parents and guardians will only be allowed to visit infants in paediatric units and no more than one person will be allowed to accompany an adult attending an outpatient department. The hospitals also said that children, individuals with flu-like symptoms and those who have had recent contact with people who have flu should not visit the hospitals. The policies will commence at 8am tomorrow.
In a joint statement, the hospitals said: “This measure is being taken in line with the hospitals’ pandemic plans. The HSE has already indicated that, given the current level of H1N1 activity in Ireland, hospitals will need to restrict visiting as required.” The HSE said last night that 7,500 people had received the swine flu vaccine at clinics since its vaccination campaign commenced on Monday.
Pat Doorley, the HSE national director of population health, said he was pleased with how the campaign was running and that the HSE was planning the next phases, which are likely to include healthcare workers and children.
Mr Doorley said over-65s should not yet present at vaccination clinics as the supply of vaccine available now was limited.
“The Pandemic Influenza Expert Group have advised that those who are aged 6 months to 64 years with a chronic illness or those who are 14 weeks pregnant and up to 6 weeks after delivery should get the vaccine first as these are most at risk,” he said.
“There is evidence that those 65 years and older, even those with a long-term illness, already have some immunity to this virus.”
A total of 13 adverse reactions to the vaccination had been reported to the Irish Medicines Board as of 2.30pm yesterday. These were expected reactions such as redness and swelling around the injection site.
