Restrictions on partners are unnecessarily cruel for women who have just given birth and gone through surgery and are then expected to care fully for a newborn baby.

I was blown away with the kindness and professionalism of the midwives and staff of the hospital. They were extremely patient with me when I was in a lot of pain before being admitted to the delivery suite. They were very nice to my partner when he was admitted into the delivery suite. I was allowed to play my own music in the delivery suite which helped relax me. I think going forward it would be a good thing to keep visitors to a minimum - just partners maybe as the ward was nice and calm and I was able to have a bit more dignity when using the toilet and when focusing on breastfeeding there were few distractions.

The healthcare assistant was absolutely fantastic she helped feed and change my twins and talked to me and comforted me as my partner could not be there. She put a smile on my face and gave me lots of tips. A student nurse was very kind to me and checked on me and again helped me with my twin boys, she was very helpful and the hospital are lucky to have her. The night nurse was run off her feet but could see I hadn’t slept in days and came and helped me with my twins. A student nurse explained a lot about preeclampsia to me which is what I had. The doctor who delivered my twins - I cannot praise him enough - and everyone in that surgery room when having my section were fantastic. The only negative I have was there is not enough nurse support as there are other patients and babies with needs and so I think more help is needed as they were run off their feet. Also partners really should be allowed in as it is cruel and I needed support from a loved one more than ever. Overall I’m happy with the maternity care, the staff all deserve a pay rise. Thanks so much again to you all.

I was sent to A&E by out-of-hours doctor. I arrived from work at 5.30am and didn't see the doctor until about 2pm. I had an x-ray and ECG and the doctor said he though it was a pulled muscle. Showed me the x-ray and I noticed we weren't looking at my x-ray but a different patient's. I was sent home with pain relief and rest prescribed but then got a call three days later saying that the my x-ray wasn't clear and only after speaking to my doctor I heard that it was to be repeated after a few weeks. I don't feel like there was enough staff on and that they had time to actually care for a patient and focus.

The hospital is so dirty. The cleaner came to clean the toilets and sink in the room, but didn't use any disinfectant at all. She only used a tissue with water!!! It was disgusting. Some of the midwives were so unclean. In the labour ward, I found some of the midwives very aggressive and not kind at all. I would never recommend this hospital.

The care I received after I had my baby was really bad. I am a first time mother and I received little to no help from the midwifes. My partner was not allowed in due to Covid and the midwifes did not help me with anything that my partner would have. I had my baby on Monday and was not able to wash myself till Thursday (when I was at home, discharged that day). No midwife would help to mind your child if you want to shower so I had to wash the blood off myself with wipes. My baby was never washed even after I had requested, she still had blood on her body when I was going home. I had a full episiotomy and was not once offered assistance by a midwife. I also was given the wrong going-home time on the day of my discharge three different times. This midwives in the aftercare section really need to work on their interpersonal skills. There was of course some that helped, but they couldn't do it all, while others refused.

I presented at A&E with a problem with my eye following GP advice. I arrived at 12:15pm and after giving my details at the reception, I was seen by the triage nurse after around 10 minutes. After identifying that I needed to see the eye specialist, she asked me to wait in the reception area. Five minutes later she called me to her office and told me that the consultant would see me at 14:00 and, since there was around 90 minutes to wait, I could go and have lunch or go directly to the consultant's waiting area. I chose to go there, and, since I didn't know where to go, a porter escorted me there. After approximately five minutes there, the charge nurse saw me and did a preliminary examination, reassuring me that things looked ok and confirming that the consultant would see me at 14:00. At 13:50 the consultant took me into his office and conducted a primary examination of my eye. He then applied drops to dilate my pupils and asked me to wait outside for the 20 minutes required for the drops to act. Meanwhile, he saw another patient. At 14:15 he called me into his office again and completed his examination and diagnosis. At 14:35 I was in my car on my way home, having paid ¢ã5 for more than two hours in the car park. There was not a single element of my visit that I could reasonably have improved. I had heard horror stories about UHL, but my experience could not have been more different from my expectations.

Our consultant was fantastic, we received antenatal care second to none. A C section was the safest mode of delivery for our baby given my past medical history. The anaesthetist was amazing, he was so calm and so skilled, got the spinal no problem and reassured us throughout the procedure. The theatre staff were just fabulous, they made our special time extra special. As soon as baby was checked, was brought to us for kisses and cuddles and family photos. They couldn't have been kinder and they were genuinely so excited for us. As soon as we got to recovery we had skin to skin and the midwives started us on our breastfeeding journey. They were excellent. Everyone was good to us at UMHL, the porters, security, kitchen and household staff were so kind, friendly and professional. The midwives on M2 were fantastic, they work so so hard and ensured we got great care day and night, they were great support. Helen the lactation consultant was so knowledgeable in her field and gave us great advice despite being so busy .It's the people that make the place. Unfortunately the building is small, outdated and the parking is a disaster, but as regards the staff, well we will be forever grateful to everyone who gave us such great care at UMHL.

Outstanding care from my consultant.

My doctor and the rest of the staff were amazing, Doctor was a really lovely and caring man with a truly wonderful bedside manner. I can honestly say that he makes you feel like you are his only patient and that is invaluable. Even after the many, many questions I asked he was always ready to answer with a smile, I always left feeling extremely content and couldn't wait for my next visit.

The parking is a disaster in particular for outpatients. Suggestion for a designated 'going home with baby' spots so dads can pack up the cars (usually takes two trips l!)

I went privately in 2016 and could not thank my doctors enough. Only for them I would not have my little boy now. I went into hospital at 22 weeks on bed rest and the hope I would get to 24. I got to 32 weeks with the help of my doctors who scanned me every week. All the staff in m3 the support I received was outstanding. There are so many ladies who were so good to me and helped me through so much. I have some great memories with them. I laughed and cried at times and cannot thank them enough for all they did for me. These ladies know who I am talking about and I would love to name them all individually but I'd be afraid I'd miss someone's names. I had quite a difficult time but I felt Dr Umhar and Dr Slevin were with me all the way and wanted the best outcome for me and my baby, their passion in their job really shines through and I could not have been blessed enough with there care. Dr Umhar spent a long time with me through labour and delivered baby his support was great. I got my boy to 32 weeks and midwife Aine was with me the day I delivered him. She was very professional and it was very obvious that she was doing the best for my baby and ensuring his safe delivery and I thank her for that. Dr Doolan is an angel sent from heaven to mind these vulnerable babies and what an unbelievable fantastic pediatrician she is. To all the Neo staff who gave the upmost care to my son. Honestly without the support and care I received in Limerick I don't know if I could have reached 32 weeks but thankfully I did.

It's no hotel but you're in safe hands. I had my baby there last year via emergency C-section. All very scary. Baby spent 3 weeks in neonatal but we both made it through fine thank god. The hospital is a kip but the level of care from the doctors and nurses is outstanding. They are working in a very old building with little resources and it's severely under-staffed. I personally felt the staff in neonatal were very demoralised.

Terrible place; no privacy, dignity, no sense of safety even....Over-crowded, everything discussed within earshot of others...Horrific

Outstanding care.

I was unfortunate to experience a miscarriage at 10 weeks. Upon admission the nurses and other staff were excellent but the doctor who explained my diagnosis and options, particularly regarding the options for treatment, did so very poorly and made us more confused than anything else. The nurses were excellent and went some way to make up for this and followed up with me a few days later at home.

John Slevin is amazing!!!

Dr John Slevin for his remarkable care and attention I received throughout my pregnancy, thankfully mine was straightforward but if I had any hiccups along the way I would not doubt for one second that I would not have been looked after by him. He had such a warm friendly manner I would 1000% advise all my friends to attend him. Thanks to all the nurses that looked after me in the delivery room and on the wards. Thanks to Dr Slevin's private rooms for always accommodating me with appointments Verona his secretary and Annamarie his midwife. I am already planning my 2nd baby.

I went privately to Dr John Slevin and have to say the care he gave me throughout my pregnancy was amazing. He was worth every penny and delivered my little girl safe and sound, big shout out to his midwife Anna and secretary Verona who always looked after me and accommodated me at short notice. I will miss going into the rooms but I will be back.

The care I received from Dr Slevin and his team in The Moorings was excellent. Such a warm atmosphere, and he takes his time with all of his patients. Thank you Dr Slevin.

While the building is really no longer fit for purpose, the staff at this hospital do an amazing job. They work so hard but always have a kind word. Clearly more staff are needed and an early pregnancy assessment unit is required but I cannot commend staff enough.

I had three kids here. The first became an emergency c-section after 16 hours of labour; was told to push at 9cm dilated by a junior nurse and after pushing unsuccessfully for approx 30 mins, baby's heart rate went down dangerously and senior midwife entered room, and confirmed cervix had swelled due to premature pushing and emergency section was required. Second baby was nearly 10 pounds and tried a natural birth, but was again sectioned because was 'slow to progress'. Third baby was then a hospital elective. Had the displeasure to meet several incompetent medical staff along the way and some absolutely brilliant individuals. I had the same consultant for all 3, but I only met this doctor on the last baby. An absolutely dreadful experience. My blood pressure was high and the doctor informed me (in front of my husband and the registrar) that I may have a 'strokey-wokey' if I did not get checked in. After the consultant left, I asked the registrar to never speak to a patient in such an infantile manner and she assured me it would never have crossed her mind to.

A midwife named Dawn stood out in her treatment of me during my first miscarriage. A lovely midwife named Mary was also helpful. However, I found that not all the staff were that considerate or understanding or supportive during a very upsetting and difficult time.

The bed sheets had holes in them. No pillow slip covers for pillows, no clean sheets available following my C-section. I had found dried old blood on one of my pillows the day I arrived on my ward. Not enough wonderful nurses to keep up with my pain meds. Not the staff's fault as they are run off their feet due to the shortage of nurses.

Doctor Slevin was my consultant, he is a gentleman, a lovely bedside manner and really explains everything to you during scans, he never rushes you.

Had my baby girl on 16th June! Hospital is great but old. I had a private room and my bathroom was dirty and needed a good deep clean! The food wasn't great but edible. I cannot praise the staff enough from the nurses to the girls who gave out the meals! All fantastic people!! Thank you.

Dr John Slevin - 10/10 for excellence. From a man's perspective I only relaxed when he was around, the minute he entered a room I knew my wife would be well looked after, he was so reassuring. We received early scans as we were extremely nervous on this pregnancy. We were able to contact his private rooms at any stage throughout my wife's pregnancy and his secretary Verona was so friendly and always accommodated us for all appointments. I look forward to returning hopefully next year again. Well done Dr Slevin I would recommend you to everyone.

Data protection and patient confidentiality not adhered to in my unit.

I have had three experiences in Limerick Maternity Hospital, one miscarriage and 2 births, all under a private consultant but I must say the level of care I received from all staff was excellent. On the miscarriage, all staff were very symapthetic and warm in their understanding of my situation. Then on both births I found the midwives to be excellent. Breastfed my first and had major problems getting her to latch on so had to have a midwife or lactation counsellor start each feed but they never made me feel like I was inconveniencing them. Then when my baby wasn't putting on sufficient weight and I was afraid that she would be kept in if her weight wasn't up, one of the night nurses asked me if I wanted to give her a bottle to see if it would get her weight up. There was no issue re bottle feeding her. Second birth was twins and again the care was excellent, I attempted breastfeeding but it wasn't working as they were premature and struggling to get a bottle into them but there was absolutely no pressure put on me by midwives re breast or bottle feeding (a girl in the room with me wanted to switch from breast to bottle about 24 hours after her baby was born and the midwife explained to her that it was their job to make sure that she was happy with her decision to bottle feed and that in 4 or 6 weeks time she wouldn't be regretting her decision to stop breastfeeding so quickly, when the girl said she was happy with her decision, then there was no pressure put on her to keep breastfeeding). With me, as often as possible, a midwife would try to help with the nightfeeds so I would get to go back to sleep quicker, this didn't always happen as sometimes they were just too busy but that's the system and not the staff or hospital to blame. I wasn't happy with one lot of meds I was receiving and once I said this to the midwife she listened straight away and my meds were changed. Hospital was always clean. The catering people were always pleasant, sometimes the food wasn't so pleasant but I survived and on my first section, the catering lady used to let me sleep on in the morning and when she'd see me awake a little later would bring me fresh tea and toast to have with my breakfast. Some of the previous reviews are so bad that I find it hard ot believe I attended the same hospital. Yes the building itself it no longer fit for purpose but all the staff I came across there were superb and credit to them for working under such arduous conditions.

While the level of care I received in the theater for my emergency C-section was second to none the support afterwards back in the ward was a JOKE! The first night after the birth was fine. But as I was bed bound and my newborn was asleep for most of it, there wasn't much care needed for me that night. The second night was where it all started to go down hill!!! I still had the catheter in after my section at this point. It filled twice during the night and was not correctly sealed so over spilled all over the ward floor TWICE!!! The second time in question was only noticed by the nurse coming on in the morning. When the catheter spilled the first time they basically gave out that I didn't notice it and call them before it spilled. They rushed the new one (and clearly didn't correctly seal it again) and barely cleaned the floor all the while making annoyed sighs. I also needed help lifting my baby in and out of the crib with my wound. They refused to help with this throughout the night as well. For the whole night I was made feel like I was a burden to them when I needed help for genuine reasons. They didn't even give me water that night while the other two ladies in the ward did get there water jugs refilled. Furthermore I was left that night go past the time when I was due my pain meds. Now ten - 20 minutes I can deal with if they are busy but I was left for an HOUR AND A HALF past when I should have gotten it. Plus I rang the bell twice in this period because of the pain. Once when it was a half an hour and then 50 minutes again. When I rang the bell a second time I could hear the midwife in the corridor saying to the assistant nurse 'Oh what does she want now?' I only rang the bell twice that night, both only because I was in such pain. After night two I stopped looking for help and got my partner to come in earlier and stay later to help me. The night staff had ruined any trust I had with looking for help in this hospital. Day three - had the catheter out and was walking around. I had suffered with pelvic griddle pain since week 20 of my pregnancy the whole way through and it remained after my section with the added pain of my incision. During the day was fine to get up and out of bed and go to the bathroom because I had my partner and family there whom I trusted to not make me feel like a burden. But when night came it was the same thing, the midwives refused to help. I only rang the bell once on night three. I needed help to get to the bathroom as I genuinely couldn't move unaided. The midwife came and listened to my request and just left saying she would get me pain meds. I had to make my own way to the bathroom and the only way I managed was to cry with the pain the whole ten steps. The midwife did not return with the pain meds she said she was leaving to get. Day four! I had had enough at this stage but was luckily turning a corner with the pain in getting up and around. However, this was the day that I realised breastfeeding was not for me and my baby. It just wasn't working. I really tried and tried. Kept asking for help and sure enough my baby would do everything right when the lactation nurses were there but the minute they pulled the screen back and left my baby would stop and no amount of me doing the exact same methods as the nurses would get my baby to latch on. My the end of day 4 I knew my baby was hungry. Breast feeding was not working and even with that hunger wouldn't latch. I had a break down and demanded a bottle for him. I was met with we will try to latch the baby for you. The midwives refused to listen to me and kept trying to force breastfeeding. I had had enough and said no. They then produced a bottle and refused to let me feed the baby. They then made me pump into bottles to keep up my supply and when it was time to feed the baby with the breast milk in the bottles they refused to let me feed the baby. Day Five: I had made up my mind to switch to formula at this point myself. No one was going to change my mind. But of course the lactation nurse was sent into me to see the baby do breastfeeding again. I refused based on I knew the baby was hungry all the time (Baby was born with a high weight) and was not latching and taking the milk. Whether the baby did it in front of them or not the baby was not doing it for me on my own so when we got home who was going to be there to help me? No one! I was switching and that was that. The lactation nurse was like 'Okay, I will go read your file to see what the other lactation nurses have put down' and I will come back. She still was not listening to me! Still forcing breastfeeding and refusing to let me be. She came back and was like 'All the other lactation nurses have put down there has been no issues so I want to see for myself what the baby is like, call the bell when the baby is due the next feed I want to see' and left. OMG the worst support ever from ALL of the MIDWIVES in this hospital with regards to opting out of breastfeeding. They are genuinely like drug pushers with it. Nothing else will even be mentioned. EVER! I WOULD NEVER HAVE A BABY IN THIS HOSPITAL AGAIN!!!! One lady does need to be thanked! The kind MARGARET who was with the hearing test nurses. She came in after the lactation nurse on the final day. Margaret came in to find me in floods of tears because of all the stress the midwives were putting me under. I explained it all to her about the added unnecessary stress they had put me under. She hugged me and told me to stop worrying, to do what I needed to do for me and my baby and that she herself had had six children ALL BOTTLE FEED and all of them were perfect. So not to worry and do what I felt was right because those nurses weren't going to be there 24/7 anymore. THANK YOU MARGARET! The midwives of Limerick Maternity are breastfeeding PUSHERS!!!! They don't support any other options! AT ALL! They won't even mention other options in passing. They point blank refuse to say any other words relating to feeding other than BREASTFEEDING! Breastfeeding this, breastfeeding that! That don't know how to say anything else. So if it works for you then great! But if it doesn't work all the response will be is WE ARE GOING TO KEEP TRYING! and then their PEER PRESSURE is forced on you!! NEVER AGAIN in this hospital!