5 January 2018
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Strict visitor restrictions have been put in place with immediate effect at Cork University Hospital due to the number of patients who have presented with flu like symptoms.
Cork University Hospital
In the interest of patient care and in order to restrict the spread of the flu virus within the hospital, it is necessary with immediate effect to ban all visitors to CUH, with the exception of the Intensive Treatment Unit and the Paediatric Ward.
In relation to patients in the Intensive Treatment Unit and the Paediatric Ward and at the discretion of the Ward Manager only, it is necessary to restrict visitors to one person per patient. The hospital wishes to remind members of the public that visiting hours are from 2:00pm to 4:00pm and from 6:30pm to 8:30 pm only and are to be strictly adhered to.
A Hospital statment today said “We regret any inconvenience caused to patients and relatives by these necessary measures, which are being taken in the interests of patient care.”
All infection control measures are in place and every effort is being made to manage and contain the spread of the flu virus.
People with flu like symptoms are advised to contact their GP by phone in the first instance and avoid presenting at the Emergency Department at CUH.
A Hospital statement concluded “We are asking people to think about all their care and treatment options and keep ED services for the patients who need them most. For example, many patients with limb injuries can go to an Injury Unit in Bantry, Mallow or Gurranabraher. Others with a less serious illness can be treated by their GP or out of hours GP service where their GP can refer them to an Assessment Unit the following day if required.”
