Visiting hours at the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street, Dublin, are to be restricted following a policy review, it has been announced. The change follows requests from patients and will bring Holles Street's practices into line with the Health Service Executive guidelines.
In a statement issued yesterday, hospital authorities said the new policy was supported by research it had carried out this year which covered facilities, hygiene and quality of care.
With effect from Sunday, only two adults may visit a patient at any one time, between 6pm and 8.30pm from Monday to Friday. At weekends and bank holidays, these times are extended to 3pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8.30pm.
A named partner may visit freely between 8.30am and 9pm (except during meal times) and will be given a visitor's card on admission. Children of the woman and her partner may visit during these hours but no other children are permitted.
The changes reflect those put in place by several other maternity hospitals in recent years.
Dr Michael Robson, master of Holles Street, said: "After a woman has had a baby or an operation, the first few days are key for optimum rest and recovery. Our patients have told us that they would prefer only a few visitors, their immediate family, during this time to give them the chance to recuperate.
"Assistance from extended family and friends is more appropriate when the new family has had time to bond themselves or a patient has had time to rest from surgery."
Dr Robson said noise from visitors could disturb other patients and interfere with their recovery. "The majority of our patients surveyed requested a change to the visiting policy at the hospital, preferring to see their visitors at home when they were feeling stronger."