The Rotunda Hospital is a Smoke Free Campus. Smoking in the grounds of the Hospital, or near the entrances to the Hospital is strictly forbidden.
Visitor Information
One named, nominated companion may join for labour & birth, on inpatient wards, booking visit, 20-22 week anomaly scan, early pregnancy assessment scans, and the emergency room.
For other routine Outpatient Appointments, one Nominated Support Person (NSP) may accompany to appointments. We encourage patients not to bring children where possible (but understand that patients may not have an option due to lack of available childcare). For Paediatric Outpatients Appointments, we ask that one parent attend with their child.
We continue to strongly recommend that all pregnant patients take a Covid-19 vaccine, as well as a vaccine booster when eligible, and that all partners also take a Covid-19 vaccine.
Inpatient Ward Visiting Hours (GPN, Lillie, PSNT A&B & Gynae):
8am – 8pm Daily
Patients will be issued with a second visitor card which may be used to allow a second visitor (Grandparents) to visit between 4pm – 8pm in effect, no more than 2 people will be permitted to be at the bedside at the same time i.e. the NSP and one other. Siblings of the newborn are welcome to visit between 2pm – 8pm but must be supervised by an adult, other than the mother, at all times. We encourage short visits by siblings where possible.
NICU Visiting Hours
9am – 7.30 pm
Due to the prevalence of viral respiratory illness in the community (Flu, COVID & RSV), mandatory wearing of surgical face masks is now required by all staff and visitors to our NICU. Parents visiting NICU are welcome anytime between 9am – 7.30pm and Inpatients may visit NICU at any time.
Parents may be asked to leave during ward rounds, nurse’s handover, or if there is an emergency on the NICU. We endeavour to keep these times to a minimum. Parents visiting the NICU will be required to perform hand hygiene as they enter into the unit and often during their visit. You will be advised about this by the NICU staff that are looking after your baby. If you are unwell or have respiratory symptoms we would advise you to contact the NICU to seek advice on visiting your baby. Unfortunately children cannot attend.
If you, or your partner, have recently tested positive for COVID-19, have symptoms of COVID-19, are a close contact of a COVID-positive case, or are waiting on the results of a COVID test, please do not come into the Hospital.
Our COVID-19 helpline is 01 817 2575 and is open on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9.00am to 6.00pm.
Support During Admission for Labour and Birth
The Rotunda Hospital has some of the oldest healthcare buildings in the world, and is uniquely challenged in providing 21st century healthcare in buildings that were constructed in the mid 1700’s. The Rotunda Hospital is also Ireland’s busiest maternity hospital with large numbers of women coming to us for care. While our Delivery Suites were individually renovated in 2021 to the highest medical standards, they remain suboptimal in terms of size. The Rotunda Hospital is happy to continue to support and permit one named Nominated Support Person (NSP) to stay with any woman admitted to our Delivery Suites. One named Nominated Support Person (NSP) may accompany as appropriate for caesarean section.
Occasionally, we receive requests from patients who are seeking to have two support people with them for their labour and birth. This issue has been discussed at our Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) meetings as well as at our Executive Management Team (EMT) meetings. The outcome of these discussions is that the Rotunda Hospital is unable to support requests for second support persons to attend our Delivery Suites. Our Delivery Suite staff look forward to meeting, supporting and caring for you when you are admitted for your baby’s birth.
More Information for Nominated Support Person (NSP)
Emergency Room: NSP may attend for consultation- children not permitted to attend.
Day Assessment Unit: NSP may accompany for consultation. Children (other than newborns) not permitted to accompany.
Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit & Fetal Assessment Unit: NSP may accompany for scan appointments. Children not permitted to attend.
The Rotunda continues to make every effort to accommodate exceptions to our visiting policy on compassionate grounds when the need arises.
Patient Care
- Colposcopy clinic: 01 817 6841
- Community midwifery services: 01 817 6849/01 817 6850
- Early pregnancy unit: 01 817 6846
- Prenatal diagnosis: 01 872 6572
- Ultrasound department: 01 817 1790
Hospital Info.
- Day assessment unit:01 817 2524
- Medical social work: 01 817 1722
- Paediatric outpatients: 01 817 1728
- Private clinic: 01 874 2115
- Patient accounts: 01 817 1763 or 01 817 1764
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – N.I.C.U.
Around 10% of babies will require admission to the neonatal unit. A large number of our patients are born less than 32 weeks gestation and weigh less than 1500 grams. Small premature babies (born before 34 weeks gestation) and sick bigger babies will be admitted to the neonatal unit for observation, treatment and ongoing care.
Support for Parents
Rotunda Hospital has published a booklet on the N.I.C.U. It is written especially for parents with preterm babies.
Rotunda Colposcopy Unit – Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the common questions that have been asked by women who are worried because of the recent Cervical Check controversy. We appreciate that the current, almost daily media attention related to the cancer audit has caused a significant degree of anxiety and concern for our patients who have attended the colposcopy clinic. If you have specific concerns, please phone the clinic and we will discuss your concerns. However, we have had such a high number of calls over the last three months with general patient concerns and queries that it is now negatively impacting on our ability to provide efficient service to high risk patients who urgently need to access our regular colposcopy service.
Before calling the clinic, we would be grateful if you could review the FAQs below as it is possible that you may find an answer to your particular query.
If you are worried about a smear result, but have not attended the Rotunda Colposcopy Clinic, please call the CervicalCheck Helpline 1800 45 45 55 or visit the Cervical Check website
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Registered Charity Number: 20000516
CHY Number: 240