Visiting Information
 

At The National Maternity Hospital, our vision is to ensure that your time with us is as safe and comfortable as possible.

Visitors who are feeling unwell or with recent or current illness (such as Covid-19, flu, vomiting bug or cold sore, etc.) should not come to the hospital if they are an infection risk.

A maximum of two adult visitors are allowed per patient at any one time.

Please note our Visiting Policy is reviewed on a regular basis.

The National Maternity Hospital will make every effort to accommodate exceptions to our visiting policy on compassionate grounds when the need arises.

I am visiting...

Maternity - Postnatal

Maternity inpatients – Postnatal wing visiting times

(Holles, Merrion and Fitzwilliam Postnatal Wings)

  • A nominated support partner is welcome to visit 8am - 9pm daily
  • Adult visitors and siblings of the newborn/s are welcome to visit between 2pm – 4pm and 6pm – 8pm daily

A maximum of two adult visitors are permitted per patient at any one time

Gynaecology

Gynaecology Inpatient visiting times  (Iveagh Wing)

  • A nominated support partner is welcome to visit 8am – 9pm daily
  • Adult visitors and children of gynaecology inpatients are welcome to visit between 2pm – 4pm and 6pm – 8pm daily

A maximum of two adult visitors are permitted per patient at any one time

Outpatient clinics, ultrasound appointments and classes

Outpatient clinics, ultrasound appointments and classes

A nominated support partner is welcome to accompany you to:

  • All ultrasound appointments (including your 20-week scan). Please note children are not permitted to attend ultrasound appointments
  • All Gynaecological and Maternity antenatal and postnatal appointments
  • All virtual and in-person antenatal classes

Labour and Birthing Unit

Labour and Birthing Unit

  • If you are in labour, having a caesarean section, or being induced, a nominated support partner is welcome to attend with you

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

  • Parents of babies in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit are welcome to visit their baby/babies at any time

  • Parents may be asked to step out of the unit during nursing handovers, ward rounds or if there is an emergency

  • Grandparents are welcome to visit between 5.30pm and 7.30pm daily, while accompanied by a parent

  • Children are not permitted to visit NICU

  • Outdoor coats/jackets must be removed. Please use the lockers provided

  • Visitors to NICU must perform hand hygiene on entry to the unit and regularly while visiting

  • NICU parents are welcome to use the subsidised staff canteen on the 4th Floor: Breakfast: 7.30-8.30am / Lunch: 12-12.30pm / Dinner: 5-6pm

  • If you are unwell or have respiratory symptoms, please contact the NICU for advice on visiting your baby

Visiting Information

Mobile Phones
  • Mobile phones are prohibited in areas where monitoring equipment is operating. Please observe local signs.
  • Mobile phones should be switched to be silent.
Smoking

Please note that since November 1st 2013, in line with the National HSE policy, The National Maternity Hospital is a Tobacco Free Campus.

As a health-care organisation, The National Maternity Hospital is committed to promoting the health of patients, staff and visitors. Smoking is one of the leading causes of death and illness and we, as a HSE funded hospital, have an obligation to everyone to address this critical public health issue. This policy covers all areas of the hospital campus including buildings, entrances, doorways and car parks.

Smoking is prohibited while on the hospital campus and policy applies to all patients, visitors, staff and external contractors. Thank you for your cooperation

We realise that this change may be difficult for people who smoke and we will actively support all in this regard. There is a range of FREE HSE smoking cessation support services and we would encourage all smokers to avail of these services.

Food

In the interest of food safety, and to ensure that the Hospital complies with current legislation, cooked food cannot be brought into the hospital by visitors. You may bring fruit, dry snacks, etc.

For visitors:  (inpatients are provided with meals)

  • Coffee Shop

Located on the Ground Floor. Sells coffee, tea, sandwiches, pastries, etc.

Opening hours:

Monday - Friday: 8am-5pm

Saturday: 10am-4pm

Sunday: 1pm-5pm

  • Baby Shop

Located on the Ground Floor. Sells some presents and dry snacks only.

Opening hours*:

Monday - Friday: 10am-3pm

*If unattended, please ask the friendly staff at the Coffee Shop to help you.

  • 24/7 Vending Machines

There are two vending machines at The NMH: one on the Ground Floor and one on the 4th Floor. They have cold drinks and snacks. Cards accepted. Available 24/7.

Toilet Facilities

We would ask that visitors use the toilet facilities located on the ground floor of the hospital.

Hospital Enquiries

In order to allow midwifery/nursing staff to concentrate on patient care, it would be appreciated if friends and relatives could contact the patient’s nominated support partner for information on patient 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.

Bring change for parking or check out parking apps in advance (www.parkingtag.ie).

A parking app has the advantage of allowing you to top-up parking without having to return to your car.

Visitor's Responsibilities

As a visitor to our hospital we ask you to:

  • Respect the visiting times
  • Be considerate of all patient’s need for rest and privacy – please keep noise to a minimum
  • Do not sit or lie on patient’s beds, this is an infection risk
  • Be polite and courteous at all times to staff
  • Please sanitize your hands on entering and exiting wards
  • Help us keep our hospital clean and inform staff of any cleaning concerns
  • Visitors who are feeling unwell or with recent or current illnesses (such as Covid-19, flu, vomiting bug or cold sore, etc.) should not come to the hospital if they are an infection risk

 

How do I get to Holles St / 60 Mount St / 65/66 Mount St?

For a more detailed Journey Planner, you can use the Transport For Ireland Journey Planner where you can select Dublin street addresses, or use a map to select two points.

By Dublin Bus: The Hospital is serviced by the following routes: 4, 5, 7, 7A, 13, 13A, 45, 63 & 84.

By Train/Dart: Short walk from Pearse Street Station. See map (above).

By Luas: A 10-minute walk from St. Stephen's Green.