'Full visitor restrictions' still in place at Tullamore hospital due to viruses

Strict visitor restrictions have been in place at Tullamore hospital for the last week, with an outbreak of viral infections resulting in "compassionate visits only" being allowed.

A statement issued on Friday last confirmed that full visitor restrictions were being put into effect across all wards in the local hospital.

And this morning (Thursday), the HSE confirmed that these visitor restrictions were still in effect in Tullamore.

It said the hospital was "continuing to experience a high number of patients with respiratory viral illnesses, such as Influenza, RSV and Covid-19".

The visitor restrictions are required, the HSE said, to reduce the spread of viruses in the healthcare setting.

A statement on behalf of the hospital apologised for any inconvenience caused, and said visits on critical and compassionate grounds would continue to be accommodated if people contacted the Clinical Nurse Manager or Nurse in Charge of the ward in question.

The measures at Tullamore hospital are to be kept under review, with the HSE adding that up-to-date guidelines on visiting patients would be available online at: www2.hse.ie/services/disruptions/

Louisea Burke, Acting General Manger, Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, said: "We have implemented visiting restrictions on all wards in the hospital to help keep our patients and staff safe from respiratory viral illnesses, which are widely circulating in the community.

"For now, compassionate visits only are allowed. If visiting on compassionate grounds, we would like to remind the public to only visit patients at the hospital if you are symptom free from flu or other respiratory illness.

"Please visit the HSE website for specific information and regular updates," she added.