VISITING on inpatient wards in University Hospital Limerick has been reinstated from this Wednesday morning, April 13.

Scheduled visiting slots for one visitor per patient are now permitted, but in line with national guidance on infection prevention, visits must be booked through an online system on this link

Visiting restrictions remain in place for the Emergency Department, Acute Surgical Assessment Unit, and Acute Medical Assessment Unit.

A spokesperson said UL Hospitals Group “was glad to bring to an end this period of restriction of access, which had been in place during a surge in community transmission of COVID-19”.

Visiting hours at UHL are from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm every day, and ward staff will assist with any queries about the booking system.

Visitors will have to wear a face mask, which are available at the hospital entrance, and observe hand hygiene. Anyone who is feeling unwell is asked not to visit the hospital.

The only exceptions to the remaining restrictions on ED and acute units are: parents visiting children in hospital; people assisting confused patients, for example, dementia; visiting on compassionate grounds, for example, for patients who are critically unwell or at end of life. Exemptions are limited to one person per patient and will be looked at on a case by case basis.

The spokesperson added, “In cases where exemptions apply, we strongly recommend that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before coming to the hospital, to minimise risks to you, our patients and staff.

“We advise also that people should not visit relatives or loved ones outdoors in the grounds of the hospital, as this can also present a COVID-19 transmission risk.”