VISITING RESTRICTIONS ARE in place at St Vincent’s University Hospital in Dublin in response to a “particularly virulent” form of the winter vomiting bug at the facility.

The Hospital has stopped all visits to its 25 bed Acute Medical Unit and is appealing to the public not to bring children to the hospital and to adhere strictly to visiting and hygiene guidelines.

“Despite St. Vincent’s taking all appropriate steps to combat the spread of this infection, forty four patients have been affected since Friday,” a spokesperson for the hospital stated. “People should avoid visiting the hospital if possible, should limit numbers to one person at a time if their visit is absolutely essential, should refrain from moving from one section of the hospital to another and should avoid canteens and any other food dispensing areas.”

The hospital is advising anyone with an ‘upset stomach’ not attend the hospital but contact their GP in the first instance if they have serious concerns. “Patients who attend hospital for appointments or need emergency care should attend the hospital as normal,” the spokesperson added.

The hospital was in focus last week because a number of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients were unable to secure treatment in isolation – a must for CF patients who are highly prone to life-threatening cross infections.

Read Me: I have CF but I’m afraid to get sick

Read: Five cystic fibrosis patients waiting for room at St Vincent’s

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