Non-urgent surgeries and appointments deferred at Portiuncula
Portiuncula University Hospital has deferred all but very urgent inpatient, day surgery, diagnostics tests and outpatient appointments until further notice.
This is to ensure that the Ballinasloe hospital has the necessary capacity to deal with any increase in suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases.
A spokesperson for the Saolta Group, which oversees hospital services in the West, said that while they regret the impact these deferrals will have on patients, they are necessary in order to deal with the impact of coronavirus.
All patients have been notified if their appointment or procedure has been cancelled.
“A small number of urgent cancer and time critical procedures, appointments or tests will proceed,” said the spokesperson.
“We would also ask those patients who are attending not to bring anyone with them unless it is absolutely necessary and children are not permitted to attend with patients. This situation continues to evolve and we will keep patients updated.”
While the majority of antenatal appointments are currently going ahead at Portiuncula, women are being phoned in advance to check they have no respiratory symptoms, and are being advised to come alone.
Visiting restriction also continues in the hospital, with the public being reminded not to visit other than end-of-life situations, or other exceptional circumstances as agreed with the ward manager in advance.
“To arrange a visit, families should telephone the hospital and request to speak to the relevant ward manager who will decide if a visit can be facilitated without compromising the welfare of the patients on the ward. It is particularly important that children do not visit patients in hospital.
“We would ask those permitted visitors not to come to any of our hospitals if they have a fever or have experienced respiratory symptoms,” said the spokesperson.
“We recognise that the visiting restrictions are very difficult for patients and their families; however, our priority must be to protect the patients in the hospital who are vulnerable to infection. We would like to thank members of the public for their co-operation.”
The Saolta group appealed to the public to help in the effort to slow down the spread of COVID-19 by observing the visitor ban, attending the Emergency Department only when necessary, and by following relevant public health advice around hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette and social distancing.