Swine flu forces children’s hospitals to limit admissions

THE country’s three children’s hospitals have been forced to cancel all non-emergency admissions and restrict visitors to wards after becoming inundated with patients suffering from swine flu symptoms.

In a joint statement yesterday, Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Temple Street, and the National Children’s Hospital in Tallaght said they were forced into the move due to the rapid rise in infections.

Under the new restrictions, anyone who is not a parent or direct guardian of a patient will be unable to visit them during their stay.