MRHP faces staff shortage after the Covid outbreak in the hospital ward

Staff shortage has become a major concern in the Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise (MRHP). The concerns were raised by the hospital nurses that they are experiencing shortage in staffs because of a Covid-19 outbreak at the hospital.

A number of patients and hospital staffs were tested positive for Covid-19, since then the ward was not taking in new patients.

At present there are only fourteen patients who are taking treatment in the ward.

Four patients in the hospital ward was confirmed Covid positive yesterday and one of them was having worst condition.

Nursing staffs at the hospital said that some of their colleagues are off duty now and they suspect that, because of the close contact with infected patients, these staffs have covid-19 or they are waiting for the results.  

The hospital recently recorded two deaths in relation to Covid-19 and both of them were residents in Kilminchy Lodge Nursing Home, which is near to the hospital.

A spokesperson for the hospital said that testing is going on amongst hospital staffs and thus, they are not in a position to comment on further queries related to staff shortage due to the outbreak.    

He also confirmed that MRHP’s mentioned medical ward is not taking new admissions at the moment because of the outbreak.

Data in the Covid-19 hub says that, there have been 26 hospital admissions in Ireland in the last 24 hours.  238 hospital confirmed cases, and 29 people in Intensive Care Units. The number of cases admitted to the hospital dropped from 240 on Monday to 214 last night but again rose to 238 today.

After identifying the Covid-19 cases in MRHP, the hospital’s outbreak control team was called in as per the guidelines of the Health Care Monitoring Center.

“Covid-19 testing and contact tracing of both staff and patients is actively ongoing to ensure the protection of public health. Any staff identified as close contacts of Covid-19 cases are now self-isolating,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson commented that all other services at the hospital were functioning normally and that patients with appointments should attend if the hospital was not in direct contact.

“The hospital would like to reassure patients, staff and the public that all appropriate steps have been taken in accordance with national guidelines. Staff and patients have been provided with key hospital contacts if any concerns need to be addressed.” he added.

He also said that the protection of public health is of the utmost importance to the hospital and every effort is being taken to reduce the risk of spread of Covid-19 at this time.