Cancer and Covid visiting restrictions
Hi, my mum has stomach cancer and been given only several months to live. She is currently in hospital as she had a fall and broke several bones. I live abroad and because of the Covid-19 restrictions I can’t fly home. If I did manage to get a flight (there is talk of Ryanair starting up ) would I be able to visit her with a) the quarantine restrictions (14 days self isolation) that I might be under when I land back in Ireland and b) the hospital restrictions on no visitors. Can the gardai give me a waiver for quarantine in exceptional circumstances?
She might be discharged home or to nursing home in a couple of weeks.. could I see her under those circumstances? I am very afraid she will die before I can manage to see her. Surely, if she is dying anyway, the Covid-19 risk to her is unimportant.
This is really hard. Thanks
Dear Maria
I am so sorry to hear how ill your Mum is and how difficult this situation is for you being abroad. Firstly I would suggest you contact the social worker on your Mum's team in the hospital and see can they help you to Face Time or video call with your Mum.
Regarding the advice on self-isolation after travelling here from abroad and visiting your Mum the concern would be not only for your Mum but for the other patients and staff whether your Mum is in hospital or nursing home. You will see a link here to the HSE advice around visiting hospitals/nursing homes in exceptional circumstances and also around travel. Maybe the first thing to do is to see how soon can you travel home and then once home you will know better how imminent your Mum’s passing may be and if the 2 weeks waiting is possible. Such a difficult situation for you and I am hoping that the social worker in the hospital can support and guide you with this too as she will have access to your Mum's medical team. Meanwhile if we can be of any further help do not hesitate to email us at cancernurseline@irishcancer.ie
Kind regards