Tag Archives: UL Hospital Group

Strict visiting restrictions remain in place at University Hospital Limerick following an outbreak of influenza. As of 1pm on Tuesday, December 20, there were 10 confirmed cases of seasonal influenza in the hospital. The Health Protection and Surveillance Centre has urged people in high-risk groups to get vaccinated as the number of reported cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) in Ireland has increased in the past week. The figures for the Mid-West are above the national baseline for influenza-like illness. UL Hospitals Group has asked that members of the public respect the current restrictions on visiting at UHL. Visiting is restricted to one person per patient during visiting hours only, 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm. In recent days the hospital had advised visiting was limited to the critically unwell and to parents of sick children only. The restrictions have been amended in response to feedback from patients/families and in consultation with the infection prevention and control team. It remains …

MEMBERS of the public joined UL Hospitals Group staff in promoting a healthy lifestyle, while at the same time raising awareness for Pieta House. Over 200 people took part in the annual 5k Run/Walk around Dooradoyle/Rahee and in so doing, they raised almost €5,000 for suicide prevention and counselling services in the Mid-West. Promoting exercise in the workplace is part of UL Hospitals’ commitment to health and wellbeing, a commitment recently formalised in the publication of the group’s Healthy Ireland Implementation Plan 2016-2019. Healthy Ireland is at the centre of government health policy, promoting physical and mental health and wellbeing with a view to reducing the burden of chronic disease in the decades to come. Hospital groups, including UL Hospitals, have adopted plans in line with the national strategy to promote health and wellbeing. The UL Hospitals Healthy Ireland Implementation Plan 2016-2019 identifies 60 priority actions do just that for the 380,000 people it serves and the 3,300 staff it …

The medical assessment unit (MAU) at Ennis Hospital, which is part of UL Hospitals’ Group, is now operating seven days a week. The Mid-West HSE said it hopes the expansion of opening hours to include weekends will help to ease overcrowding in the emergency department at University Hospital Limerick but, more importantly, will also provide and enhance the service for the local people and GPs. Since opening in 2013, the number of patients presenting at Ennis MAU has increased year-on-year with between 20 to 35 patients assessed daily. Dr Tom Peirce, consultant in charge, explained, “The unit aim to see patients within two hours of arrival. In approximately 15% of cases, we will admit the patients who come to the MAU but the emphasis is on same-day diagnosis, treatment and discharge, wherever possible. The MAU work very closely with the community intervention teams to ensure a seamless pathway of care for the patient between our hospital and home,” said Dr …