Rotunda Extends Partner Visiting Hours

The Rotunda Hospital has announced an extension of visiting hours for partners effective from today Monday 13th September, 2021.

In a statement issued on Saturday, 11th September, the Dublin-based hospital said that it will now be able to extend access hours for partners to 8am to 8pm each day.

“The Rotunda Hospital is delighted to be able to announce a significant uptake in Covid-19 vaccination rates amongst its patient population,” it commented.

The Rotunda said that it conducts regular point prevalence surveys of its patients regarding their Covid-19 vaccination status, with its most recent survey reporting that 57% of patients and 74% of their partners being fully vaccinated.

This reflects current data from its most recent inpatient survey, which had a 95% response rate.

It also reflects the strong effort and lead being taken by the Rotunda in better informing patients on the very significant health benefits of Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy, it added.

Irish Medicines in Pregnancy Service

The Irish Medicines in Pregnancy Service, which is funded and based at the Rotunda, together with the Rotunda’s various other information forums and platforms will ‘continue to do whatever it can to encourage this vaccination rate to grow even higher.”

All other existing access controls to keep all patients safe continue to apply.

The move brings the Rotunda’s arrangements close to pre-pandemic levels, and remains vastly more accessible to arrangements that remain at almost all acute general hospitals in the state.

“The Rotunda’s management team will continue to keep these arrangements under regular review, taking all necessary precautions to keep all our patients safe, while making decisions that are evidenced and based on current Infection Prevention and Control guidance,” the hospital said.

RTÉ Series

Controversy surrounding the filming of an RTÉ series on the hospital was widely reported on in the media last week.

The first episode of series two of The Rotunda aired on the national broadcaster last week, causing huge distress among pregnant women and their partners who were still facing visiting restrictions, reports Breakingnews.ie.

According to the news website, last week Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly called on bosses of the maternity hospital to explain the situation, and they issued a statement apologising for “upset or anxiety” caused but also defended filming of the “important” documentary series.

To view current COVID-19 Policy, click here.