General Visiting

Visiting Hours: 08:30 to 21:00 hours except during mealtimes from Monday to Sunday for nominated cardholders only.

Grandparents are welcome 18.00-20.00hrs

Click here to download information leaflet for visitors.

During the recent HINI flu pandemic, visiting was restricted and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive from mothers who enjoyed more rest and time with their babies.

Further to discussions with patients, staff and the patient service user forum, a decision has been taken to continue to enforce a limited visiting policy in the hospital but to allow children of the family to visit. As you are all aware our activity levels are at an all time high and this is a conscious effort to give mothers and patients a rest for the short time they are with us.

Our visiting arrangements are as follows:

Maternity- Partners or a nominated visitor and their children only to visit – one green card
 
Gynaecology-  patients to have two visitors only at any one time – two green cards
 
Neonatal unit- strictly parents only (no children) unless there are extenuating circumstances, at ward managers discretion.
 
Visiting times for the above categories are to be from 08:30 to 21:00 hours except during mealtimes from Monday to Sunday.

This policy is to be implemented from Monday 8th. March, 2010.

Clinics:

There are limited waiting facilities in Outpatients and in the Semi-private Clinic; therefore if you can avoid bringing children with you it would be appreciated.

Patients attending the Fetal Medicine Unit for an ultrasound scan are advised that if bringing children to ensure that someone accompanies them who can supervise them at all times.

Delivery Ward:

For patient confidentiality, privacy and care only one nominated person can be accommodated when a patient is admitted to the Delivery Ward. We ask you to understand the sensitivity of this area and to respect the patient’s right to privacy and non-interrupted care.

No Children are permitted to visit. The Delivery Ward Manager may give permission to alter these arrangements in some very specific cases.


Visiting time may be restricted if the patient requires midwifery/nursing care or medical attention.

Neonatal Intensive Care:

Neonatal unit- strictly parents or mother and nominated person only (no children) unless there are extenuating circumstances, at ward manager’s discretion.

Visitor's Responsibilities

As a visitor to our hospital we ask you to:
- Respect the visiting policy                  
- Consider other women’s needs for rest and privacy                                       
- Be polite and courteous.
- Have consideration for staff doing their job
- Wash your hands when entering and exiting the ward
- Help keep our hospital clean and inform staff of any cleaning concerns   
- Not sit or lie on hospital beds                                                                       

Nominated visitors with recent or current illnesses should stay at home if they are an infection risk.

 

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are prohibited in areas where monitoring equipment is operating. Please observe local signs.
Mobile phones must not be used in ward areas during the night time.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted for visitors anywhere in the Hospital.

Food

In the interest of food safety and to ensure that the Hospital complies with current legislation cooked food may not be brought into the hospital by visitors. You may bring fruit, biscuits, sweets or crisps.

Hospital Enquiries

In order to allow midwifery/nursing staff to concentrate on patient care it would be appreciated if you would contact family members for information on patient’s progress and delivery outcomes.

Car Parking

There is no public parking within the Hospital grounds. Parking spots provided by Dublin Corporation are available around the Hospital. Clamping is in operation on Holles St.

 

We welcome suggestions and advice from our service users and visitors on how we can improve our services. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of care or service while at the National Maternity Hospital, please bring the matter to the attention of the ward manager at the time. In the event that this does not resolve the matter, you may refer the matter to the Patient Services Manager who will process it with the relevant personnel.