Swine flu update: Maternity hospitals to restrict visiting times

Maternity Hospitals in Dublin will restrict visiting from Friday to minimise the spread of influenza A H1N1.
The measures will come into force from 8am at the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital, the Rotunda Hospital and the National Maternity Hospital.
Master of CWIUH Dr Chris Fitzpatrick said it was a temporary measure that would be reviewed on a daily basis. “All of the hospitals have seen cases of swine flu coming through. This is a temporary but appropriate measure. The complications experienced by pregnant women who contract the virus are four-fold,” he said.
Visiting will be restricted to the partner, or one nominated visitor for expectant and new mothers, as well as gynaecology inpatients. Only parents and guardians of infants will be allowed in the paediatric (baby) unit. Only one person should accompany adults attending the Outpatient Department.
Furthermore, children should not be brought to the hospitals as visitors. And people with flu-like symptoms or who have been in contact with a person with the flu should also not visit the hospitals.
Women who were 14 or more weeks pregnant, mothers who delivered less than six weeks ago as well as women less than 14-weeks pregnant who were healthcare workers or had additional risk factors should contact their GP for vaccination against swine flu, the hospitals said in a statement.
Expectant mothers who have been hospitalised will receive the vaccination in the maternity hospitals. Where a GP is not participating in the vaccination programme, pregnant women should attend a HSE Community Clinics. See www.hse.ie for more.
Women should be assured the vaccine was safe and best for them and their babies, said Dr Fitzpatrick. “There has been very clear direction from the European Medicines Agency, the Irish Medicines Board, the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the HSE and maternity hospitals. We are giving consistent advice,” he said.
By Niamh Mullen