Dáil debates

Thursday, 17 June 2021

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

 

12:35 pm

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want the Government to bring Mr. Paul Reid before it to get clarification on hospital visits and especially the accompaniment of partners for childbirth, labour or scans, which is not allowed in various hospitals. The hospitals are operating like independent republics. Following the cyberattack, they will not even respond to letters. It is utterly ridiculous that partners are not allowed into hospitals. Thankfully, hospitals now have a limited number of patients. There are only 60 or 70 patients in hospital altogether. For that matter, at least one visitor from a family should be allowed to visit elderly patients. Nobody is allowed into South Tipperary General Hospital. It is shocking that older people have to die alone without the company of a member of the family. Why are all the hospitals operating different policies? Surely one law should apply to everyone. Given the reduced numbers at least one visitor per family should be allowed and partners should be allowed in when a wife or partner is having a baby. A sibling or somebody should be allowed to visit people. It is totally unfair and it needs to be clarified. Paul Reid needs to give an instruction to all the HSE hospitals to have one plan, not different plans for different hospitals.

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