UL Hospitals responds to claims of visiting restrictions at maternity hospital in Limerick

THE UL Hospital Group has responded to claims that restrictions remain in place on partners and nominated visitors at University Maternity Hospital Limerick.

A spokesperson told the Limerick Leader/ Limerick Live it has “facilitated daily access” to all inpatient wards, despite allegations to the contrary by Better Maternity Care campaigners. 

The release of statements from both the Better Maternity Care campaign and UMHL come as the requirement to wear Covid-19 masks in hospital settings has been officially lifted. 

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The statement from UL Hospitals reads: “In line with national guidance, the University Maternity Hospital Limerick has facilitated daily 8am to 9pm access for nominated support partners to all three of the hospital’s inpatient wards.

“Nominated support partners, regardless of vaccination status, also have access for emergency high-risk admissions. 

“Other areas of UMHL that nominated partners may access include the Antenatal Clinic for first appointment, the Labour Ward throughout labour and delivery, theatre including elective and emergency C-Section, Antenatal and Postnatal Wards from 8am-9pm daily and the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit.”

These rules, they claim, have been in place since the beginning of last year. However, the issue lies with the rules regarding siblings of newborns' unpermitted access to visit as well as partner visits to the antenatal clinic frequently, rather than just on the ‘first appointment’, as stated by UMHL.

The statement from the Better Maternity Care group reads: “Of particular concern to campaigners is the ongoing exclusion of partners from antenatal appointments and assessment units, and the total ban on older siblings coming to visit their new brother/sister.

“This is having a significant impact on families of what should be a joyous, happy time.”

UL Hospitals has confirmed that “children are not currently allowed to visit the hospital” therefore siblings under 18 are not permitted. 

As well as this, the spokesperson added: “Designated time slots for fathers/parents of babies in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU)” and “due to the infrastructure of the antenatal clinic, women are being asked to attend the clinic at the time provided in their appointment letters.”

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With mandatory mask wearing being no longer implemented, the campaigners for Better Maternity Care are aiming to get Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to revise all restrictions which some, after 10 months retirement of Covid-19 controlled access to maternity hospitals, still remain.

UMHL advises that visiting hours and exemptions will be each considered “on a case by case basis”.