Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2021
228. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that persons diagnosed with dementia that are in general hospitals are allowed visits from family members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27743/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, on 23 June 2021, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre published updated guidance on visiting in Acute Hospitals including other healthcare settings providing a similar intensity of care. A copy of the latest guidance can be accessed at www.hpsc.ie.
The guidance acknowledges that some patients may find it very difficult to manage without personal contact with others who are important to them even for a short period of time. The guidance also acknowledges that many people who are in hospital for extended periods or have specific needs may suffer greatly from a lack of contact with family and friends. Furthermore, the guidance also provides for visiting in critical and compassionate circumstances, such as situations where a patient is significantly distressed or disturbed and although unable to express the desire for a visit, there is reason to believe that a visit from a significant person may relieve distress.
In acute hospitals or sections of an acute hospital where there is no ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, reasonable visitor access should be facilitated to the greatest degree practical for those patients who ask to receive visitors. In general visits should be arranged in advance with the ward.
Within this context, hospitals are required to strike a balance between the need to balance the risk of the introduction of COVID-19 by visitors by doing all that is practical to support safe visiting when visiting is essential.
Although the situation has greatly improved, the risk associated with COVID-19 remains very real. There is still a risk of introduction of infection, including the possibility of a new variant of COVID-19, against which the vaccine may be less effective. Therefore, caution remains appropriate. At all times vigilance on the general infection prevention and control measures must be maintained and public health advice must continue to be followed, including when visiting, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect those living in our communities.
The guidance will be kept under continuing review as new evidence and data emerges.
