Covid surges in North Tipp

Hospital services deferred and visiting restrictions reimposed

Hospital services across the Mid West have been impacted by increasing prevalence of Covid-19, with the numbers of confirmed cases of the virus exceeding those seen prior to last Christmas.

There were 336 cases of Covid-19 in the Nenagh Local Electoral Area between March 3 and 14. This represents an almost 30% increase on the 262 cases between December 7 and 20 last.

The following fortnight - March 15 - 28 saw 561 confirmed cases in Nenagh LEA - an increase of over 100% on December.

Public health specialists say positive Covid cases in the Mid West have almost doubled in the last fortnight and warn that high case numbers of the virus can be expected over the coming weeks.

UL Hospitals Group's Crisis Management Team met last Friday and agreed to widespread deferrals of elective activity across the group, as hospital services manage what was described as a surge in emergency presentations and increase in Covid-19 activity. Almost all scheduled care at Nenagh, Ennis, St John's (Limerick) and Croom hospitals has been deferred.

“This includes all patients planning to attend these hospitals for outpatient appointments, elective surgery (day case and inpatient) and endoscopy,” UL Hospitals Group stated. “Patients are advised not to attend for their appointments/procedures unless contacted directly by staff and advised otherwise.

“Services at University Maternity Hospital Limerick are unaffected by these cancellations and women are advised to attend for their appointments.

“Almost all elective activity at University Hospital Limerick – including outpatient appointments, elective surgery and diagnostic investigations – remains deferred until further notice as the hospital manages a sustained surge in emergency presentations, a significant increase in Covid-19 activity, and an increase in the numbers of staff unavailable related to Covid-19.

“We sincerely regret this significant reduction in service across our hospitals, which is necessary to prioritise emergency and time-critical care for the sickest patients in the Mid West. Affected patients will be contacted as soon as possible to reschedule their appointments and procedures. This decision is being kept under review daily.”

UL Hospitals Group advised that the Emergency Department in Limerick remains open 24/7 for emergency cases, and emergency and trauma surgery is continuing. The Local Injury Units and Medical Assessment Units (GP referral only) continue to operate as normal at Nenagh, Ennis and St John’s.

There are a limited number of exceptions to the cancellations at UHL. Appointments that are going ahead at this time include: Cancer services (oncology and haematology day ward; haematology and oncology OPD clinics; medical oncology clinics; rapid access clinics for breast, lung and prostate), dialysis, fracture clinic, paediatric outpatient clinics, endoscopy, antibiotic therapy, bronscoscopy, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), warfarin.

visiting restrictions

Earlier last week, visiting restrictions were reintroduced for the inpatient wards at Nenagh hospital and at UHL in response to the increased level of Covid-related activity within the hospital and in the community. “The decision has been taken to help keep all our patients, their loved ones, and our staff safe, and to ensure essential hospital services can remain open for patients,” UL Hospitals Group stated in relation to the visiting restrictions.

“The situation is being monitored on a daily basis, and hospital management hopes to reintroduce visiting to relatives of inpatients as soon as it is safe to do so. We wish to reassure patients and their loved ones that all appropriate infection control precautions are being followed to minimise the risk of spreading infection among staff and patients within our health facilities, and also within the wider community.”

The only exceptions to the visiting restrictions on both wards are: People assisting confused patients (for example, those with dementia - on a case-by-case basis); people visiting patients who are critically unwell or at end-of-life (on a case-by-case basis). These exemptions are limited to one person per patient only.

UL Hospitals Group stressed that a ban on visitors also applies to patients attending the Emergency Department in Limerick.