New visiting hours will be in place.

The Rotunda Hospital in Dublin is set to ease certain Covid-related restrictions from Monday (13 September) in a bid to extend access to partners. The Rotunda has faced significant criticism following the airing of an RTÉ documentary in which it was later revealed that unvaccinated members of the production crew were on-site during the height of the pandemic as pregnant women were forced to wait outside maternity hospitals in line with public health guidelines. Taoiseach Michaél Martin and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly were among those who criticised the hospital. A spokesperson for the Rotunda apologised earlier this week, noting that the hospital "very much regrets any upset or anxiety" caused by the filming and subsequent released of the six-part series. Image via Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie On Saturday morning (11 September), the Rotunda issued a fresh statement announcing the relaxing of restrictions for partners, with longer visiting hours set to come into effect from Monday morning. Hailing "a significant uptake" in Covid-19 vaccines amongst its patient population, the Rotunda will now extend access hours for partners from 8am until 8pm throughout the week. All other existing patient protocol will remain in operation. https://twitter.com/RotundaHospital/status/1436618756889972737 "This brings the Rotunda’s arrangements close to pre-pandemic levels, and remains vastly more accessible to arrangements that remain at almost all acute general hospitals in the state," the statement continues. "The Rotunda’s management team will continue to keep these arrangements under regular review, taking all necessary precautions to keep all our patients safe, while making decisions that are evidenced and based on current Infection Prevention and Control guidance." Further relevant information is available via the Rotunda Hospital website. Featured image via Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie