Visitor Information
Routine antenatal appointments
A nominated support partner may attend all antenatal appointments
Nominated Support Partner
Antenatal Appointments: A nominated support partner may attend all antenatal appointments. Where a woman’s normal nominated partner (e.g. her spouse) is not available to attend a particular appointment, the woman can bring someone else with her to provide support.
Inpatients: The nominated partner may visit the wards, except in exceptional circumstances which are decided on an individual basis. However, they may be asked to leave the ward during meal/rest times.
The nominated support person will be issued with a pink Nominated Visitors Card from the Admissions Unit at the time of admission. Note: This card is not transferable.
Visiting hours for nominated support persons are 8.00am - 8.00pm.
Visitors
General visiting hours 6:00pm to 8:00pm daily
Visiting on General Ward Areas
Grandparents
A visiting card may be obtained from the security desk in the hospital foyer by a grandparent of the baby who wish to visit during general visiting times, which are from 18.00hrs to 20:00hrs daily. Only one card is allocated to each patient during this time. Additional grandparents will be unable to visit the patient until the previous visitor has returned the card to the Security Desk. There is a maximum of 2 visitors per bedside at any one time (this includes the nominated support person).
Siblings (Children)
Siblings of the infant may visit between 6:00pm – 8:00pm once accompanied and supervised by an adult holding a Visiting Card.
There is to be a maximum of 2 children at a bedside at any one time.
If there are 2 siblings visiting, there can only be one accompanying adult (nominated support person or visitor) at the bedside.
For infection prevention and control reasons, it is advised that small babies or toddlers do not visit. At any one time no more than two children will be allowed to visit. As we have very restricted space, parents are requested to avoid bringing buggies and strollers onto ward areas unless absolutely necessary.
Visiting outside Official Visiting Times
Visitors are encouraged to comply with official visiting times, however, as all patient needs and situations are unique, there may need to be exceptions to this policy. Visiting needs that fall outside the official policy should be discussed in advance with the Clinical Midwife Manager (CMM) in charge of the ward or in his /her absence, the midwife in charge of the ward. The ward manager will in turn liaise with Security in order to facilitate such exceptions.
Visiting in the Delivery Suite
For patient confidentiality, privacy and care, only the nominated support person and or a Doula can be accommodated when a woman is admitted to the Delivery Suite. We ask that you respect the need for privacy and dignity and uninterrupted care at this special time.
Once a woman is transferred to the ward areas the general ward rules for visiting apply (see above).
Visiting in the High Dependency Unit
Visiting for the High Dependency Unit is dependent on the clinical situation and is decided upon on an individual basis by the CMM in charge.
Visiting a patient in the Neonatal Unit
Visiting in the Neonatal Unit is restricted to the parents and grandparents of the baby (maximum of 2 adults /parents per cot/incubator).
A named visitor may be facilitated in special circumstances following discussion with the CMM. In special circumstances, a named person may visit but details must be recorded in the baby’s chart and the visitor must be accompanied by a parent at all times.
On arrival to the Neonatal Centre, please ring the bell once only. Staff may be busy.
Only two visitors allowed at any one time.
Overcoats and coats worn as uniform (white coats) must be removed and placed in washroom in Neonatal Centre or on back of door (SCBU).
Thorough hand washing is essential for everyone who enters the Neonatal Centre/Special Care Baby Unit.
Any special precautions and instructions as directed by the CMM / Staff member must be observed.
Visitors to the Neonatal Unit must leave immediately when requested.
Parents and Grandparents are requested not to visit at Report Time
07.30am - 08.30am
7.30 pm - 8.30 pm
and may be requested to leave during Consultant rounds to maintain patient confidentiality.
Visiting in the Operating Theatres
There is no visiting in the Operating Theatres Department.
Nominated Support Person access for the delivery of a baby via Caesarean Section will be facilitated unless clinically contraindicated.
Theatre Staff have the right to request that the nominated support person leave at any time if it is in the best interests of the patient or if clinical events/procedures or clinical situations demand that the nominated person leave.
Visitors Code
Women tire very easily after the birth of a baby or after any procedures. It is recommended that visitors try to limit their visits to no more than 20 minutes.
Siblings of the infant may visit for short visits only (as above), but no other children are allowed.
Children must be directly supervised by their parents/guardians at all time during visiting.
Visiting time may be restricted if the woman requires midwifery/nursing/medical attention.
Please be aware that information on a patient is only provided to the patient, their next of kin or other nominated (by the patient) person.
When visiting in the Neonatal Unit, please do not approach babies or the cots/incubators they are in, other than the baby you are visiting. Do not make enquiries about other babies in the Neonatal Unit.
It is requested that mobile phone use is avoided in areas where monitoring equipment is operating and in ward areas at night, in the interest of privacy and consideration.
The use of camera phones and videoing equipment is strictly prohibited.
Visitors Responsibilities
As a visitor to our hospital we ask you to:
Use hand hygiene facilities as available when entering and exiting hospital wards
Consider other women’s needs for rest and privacy
Have consideration for staff doing their job
Be polite and courteous and comply with any request to leave, to facilitate care.
Observe confidentiality if you see or hear things of a private and confidential nature
Help keep our hospital clean and inform staff of any cleaning concerns that you may have.
Please do not sit or lie on hospital beds
Visitors with recent or current illnesses should not visit the hospital if they are an infection risk
Respect hospital property and ensure that it is not abused.
Do not attempt to access unauthorised areas, e.g. ward kitchen
Be responsible for the safety and security of own belongings
Please respect and adhere to the official visiting times.
Please leave the hospital promptly when visiting times are over.
Please use the main hospital entrance.
This is a NO SMOKING/VAPING hospital. Visitors are asked to smoke/vape outside of the hospital campus, i.e. outside of the main gate. Visitors are requested to refrain from visiting while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs. Consumption of alcohol / illicit drugs is not permitted on the premises.
Visitors must take responsibility for their own care. Observe floor cleaning/wet floor signs and observe instructions in the event of hospital construction or maintenance work in progress. Please notify staff of any concerns that you may have in this regard.
Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour is not tolerated at this hospital. Gardai may be called.
Additional Restrictions
Additional restrictions on visiting may apply at times with short or limited notice (for example, outbreaks of potentially infectious diseases). Patients will be notified of this as follows:
On admission to the hospital.
On notice boards at the Security and the Reception Desk, Admission Unit and from any member of staff.
Information will be available on the TCH Website.
Information will be available from the Hospital Switchboard, telephone (01) 408 5200