Bernie English [email protected]
TO MAKE it easier for friends and family to comfort and support patients, the UL Hospitals Group is extending its general evening visiting times from October 12.
A hospital spokesman said the move is “in response to patient feedback”.
Visiting hours at University Hospital Limerick, Ennis, Nenagh and Croom hospitals will now be from 6 to 9 pm instead of 6.30 to 8.30pm. General daytime visiting hours will remain from 2 to 4 pm.
“UL Hospitals encourages the presence and participation of visitors as family and friends provide important emotional support to patients and are invaluable as members of the care team,” the spokesman said.
UL Hospitals Chief Operations Officer Noreen Spillane said, “Our patients have told us that visiting time with friends and family is the most important part of their day, in particular evening visiting time. We have listened to this feedback and extended our evening visiting times in response to this wish.“
Specific wards such as the intensive care or coronary care units and others where patients are critically ill will have different visiting times and visitors should contact the main hospital reception for these times. Visiting times at the Children’s Ark unit in UHL are from 2 to 4 pm and 6 to 7.30pm to accommodate bedtime for children.
In response to the wishes of new mums to have rest time with their babies, general visiting times in the University Maternity Hospital will remain as before.
To coincide with the new extended visiting times, visitor information leaflets have been provided at each hospital giving details on parking, visiting times, refreshments and general information. These leaflets,can also be downloaded from www.ulh.ie .
The Patient Advocacy Liaison Service (PALS) is available at UHL and will be launched in Croom and the University Maternity Hospital over the coming months. PALS volunteers work to improve the experience of patients and the public who come to the hospital by providing guidance and support.
Anyone interested in volunteering for PALS, can contact Catherine Hand on 061-482531 or email [email protected]
UL Hospitals also encourages feedback from visitors and they can do this by completing a ‘Your Service Your Say’ form or by emailing [email protected]
