Coronavirus / COVID-19

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR PATIENTS

Under the latest government directive, we will have to defer procedures further and review on 18th April 2020. We understand that this is a difficult time for all patients especially as timelines continue to be  pushed out due to the National Public Health Emergency - Covid-19 Outbreak.

We want to assure you that if you have an appointment with the clinic over the coming weeks a member of the team will contact you by telephone over the next day or so. We would ask that you use the email addresses below in the first instance, to allow us manage our communications.  We have staff available remotely and we are here to support you this time. We want to assure that when things return to normal that we will do everything in our power to get our patients back on track.

Please note our main landline number will switched to out of hours mode during this time. Instead we have a dedicated nurse line which can be reached on:

  • Clonskeagh: 087 979 9968
  • Cork: 087 900 8625
  • Info@sims.ie/infocork@sims.ie and nurse@sims.ie/nursecork@sims.ie will also be monitored.
  • Egg donation queries can be emailed to edenurses@sims.ie

Please note this will be monitored from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Monday to Friday. If you have an emergency or need to contact the clinic outside of these hours, the emergency line can be reached on 1850 778 779.

All initial consults and return consults will still be carried out over phone.

 

Dr John Kennedy talks COVID-19

From the HSE website

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

Symptoms of coronavirus

It can take up to 14 days for symptoms of coronavirus to appear.

The main symptoms to look out for are:

If you develop symptoms you will need to self-isolate and phone your GP. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The GP will assess you over the phone. If they think you need to be tested for coronavirus, they will arrange a test.

For people who get infected with coronavirus

  • 80% will have mild illness and make a full recovery within a few weeks
  • 14% will have a more severe illness
  • 6% will have a critical illness

Read more about the symptoms and causes of coronavirus

Protect yourself and others from coronavirus

Coronavirus is spread in sneeze or cough droplets. To infect you, it has to get from an infected person's nose or mouth into your eyes, nose or mouth. 

It’s important to wash your hands properly and often.

Follow this advice to protect yourself and others from coronavirus

Restricted movements and self-isolation

To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) you may need to either restrict your movements or self-isolate.

Restricted movements means avoiding contact with other people and social situations as much as possible. You will need to do this if you are a close contact of a confirmed case of coronavirus and you are still well.

Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people. You will need to do this if you have symptoms of coronavirus.

Read more about restricted movements and self-isolation

Testing

Only people who have symptoms of coronavirus will be tested for the virus.

If you develop symptoms you will need to self-isolate until you can be tested. The people in your household will need to restrict their movements.

You will either have your test at a community test centre or in your home.

Read more about testing for coronavirus

Treatment

There is no specific treatment for coronavirus. But many of the symptoms of coronavirus can be treated at home. Take any medication you are already taking as usual, unless you are told not to by a healthcare professional.

Most people who catch coronavirus will experience mild symptoms. They should make a full recovery without needing to go to hospital.

If your symptoms get worse and you feel very unwell you may need to go to hospital.

Read more about treatment for coronavirus

At-risk groups and coronavirus

There are some groups of people who may be more at risk of serious illness if they catch coronavirus. But we do not think these groups have a higher risk of catching coronavirus. This is similar to other infections such as flu.

Read more about at-risk groups and coronavirus

Pregnancy and coronavirus

When you are pregnant, your body naturally weakens your immune system. This is to help your pregnancy continue successfully. It means that when you are pregnant you may pick up infections more easily.

All pregnant women should get the flu vaccine. This will protect you and your baby from the flu, not from coronavirus.

Read more about pregnancy and coronavirus

Children and coronavirus

Encourage your child to wash their hands regularly and properly.

Follow this advice to prevent your child from catching or spreading viral infections.

Read this for information on how to care for a child in self-isolation.

Travel and coronavirus

You will need to restrict your movements if you return to Ireland from any country.

You should also follow the advice from the Department of Foreign affairs if you are thinking about travelling abroad.

Find out more about travel and coronavirus

Pets and coronavirus

There is no evidence that pets such as cats and dogs can catch or spread coronavirus.

Interpreting service for deaf people

Deaf Irish Sign Language users can get information about coronavirus using Irish Remote Interpreting Service (IRIS).

IRIS is available from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturday.

To access the service using Irish Sign Language, book an appointment or email remote@slis.ie.

This service is for Deaf Irish Sign Language users only.

More information

Department of Health - latest updates on COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Department of Foreign Affairs – updated travel information and advice

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre – information for health professionals

Our guidelines
  • If you are feeling unwell please call the clinic first, do not attend.
  • Please note all patients booked in for initial consults or return consults on site will now take place over the phone or Skype/Zoom.
  • Those unable to attend due to illness, childcare issues or wish to defer treatment will be facilitated.
  • All patients attending our clinics should only attend with a maximum of one designated companion.
  • We must advise that children will be prohibited from attending the clinic at this time 

This follows best practice guidelines of Irish hospitals and other medical facilities.

 The situation will be kept under constant review by our management team and we will advise you of any further updates. 

FAQs

Question:

I’m a patient who has not started yet

Answer:

Your cycle will be deferred

Question:

I have an initial consult/return consult scheduled. 

Answer:

It will be converted to a phone call at a reduced price.

Question:

I am about to undergo an IUI, TSI or embryo transfer, what happens to me?

Answer:

Patients about to undergo IUI, TSI or embryo transfer will have their procedure postponed.

 

All fertility testing will be also be postponed