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Visitors asked to stay away due to vomiting bug outbreak in Galway hospital

Visiting restrictions are in place at University Hospital Galway, due to an outbreak of the winte...
Newstalk
Newstalk

16.56 28 Oct 2014


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Visitors asked to stay away du...

Visitors asked to stay away due to vomiting bug outbreak in Galway hospital

Newstalk
Newstalk

16.56 28 Oct 2014


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Visiting restrictions are in place at University Hospital Galway, due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug.

The hospital is appealing to people not to visit the hospital unless it is essential, not to bring children to the hospital and to adhere strictly to visiting restrictions and hygiene guidelines.

People who think they have the winter vomiting bug virus are urged to contact their GP, rather than go to the hospital.

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Ann Cosgrove, General Manager, Galway University Hospitals warns that there are “a number of patients in the hospital with symptoms of the ‘Winter Vomiting Virus’ and, as a precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of the virus to visitors and to other parts of the hospital, we are appealing to the public not to visit the hospital at this time.”

Cosgrove warns that the hospital cannot handle the added strain that would result in a wider outbreak of the vomiting bug, citing “unnecessary traffic through the hospital” as an avoidable danger that could spread the disease.

“The hospital is under tremendous pressure and we simply cannot afford to lose beds because of virus outbreaks. Patients and staff have to come in and out and we manage that risk as best we can. However, there is a lot of unnecessary traffic through the hospital and we ask people to avoid visiting the hospital and not to visit if they are ill themselves at present or have been recently,” Cosgrove said.

The hospital have asked that anyone who has symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea, or is sharing household with someone who has those symptoms, does not visit the hospital. They have also warned that no children should be brought to the hospital unless it is absolutely necessary.

University Hospital Galway has issued the following instructions for any visitors to the hospital:

  • People who are unwell or have vomiting or diarrhoea, or have had vomiting or diarrhoea in the last two days, should not visit the hospital.
  • Children should not be brought to the hospital.
  • Only essential visits should be made and should be confined to one person at a time.
  • Any essential visits should be made only during “Visiting Hours” which are from 2-4pm or from 6:30-8:30pm.
  • Visitors should refrain from moving from one section of the hospital to another and should avoid canteens and any other food dispensing areas.
  • Visitors should wash their hands thoroughly before entering or leaving the inpatient area, or after a visit to the toilet.
  • Those with a serious illness should not visit the hospital, as they may be more likely to get sick if they come in contact with the virus.
  • People who have symptoms such as ‘upset tummy’ should not attend the hospital but contact their GP in the first instance if they have serious concerns.

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