Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 11:43 am
In today’s update:
Visiting guidance
- General visiting
- Visiting for patients who are end of life or who require a carer
- Exceptions to general visiting – outbreak wards
- Safety measures still in place
Visiting guidance
After a change to national guidance, visiting was reinstated across the Trust on Monday 14th March 2022.
Visiting arrangements in place are as follows:
GENERAL VISITING
Adult wards
- Visiting times: 1.30pm – 4pm
6pm – 7pm - Maximum of two visitors per patient – please note, this must be the same two visitors throughout each session
Maternity Unit
- Two birth partners may attend Delivery Suite
- One nominated partner may attend the pre/post-natal ward between 9am – 9pm
- One nominated partner may attend appointments and scans
Ward 2E, Pre and Postnatal Ward
– Visiting times: 1.30pm – 4pm
6pm – 7pm
Maximum of two visitors per bedside, including the nominated partner.
Children’s wards
- Maximum of two visitors per patient
Emergency Department, GPAU, SAU, and Outpatients Departments
- One support person may attend with each patient
Visiting for patients who are end of life or who require a carer
Relatives of those receiving end of life care, or carers of patients with dementia or learning disabilities, will continue to be supported to visit their loved ones, as they have been throughout the pandemic.
This is in addition to the general visiting times above and should be agreed locally by the Ward Manager/nurse in charge with individual families.
Exceptions to general visiting – outbreak wards:
Visiting remains restricted on outbreak wards, until the outbreak is declared over and the ward has been informed by the Infection Prevention Team that general visiting can recommence. During an active outbreak, visiting will only be permitted in the following circumstances:
– A maximum of two visitors for patients at the end of their life.
– One carer that is supporting someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism or other similar complex conditions, where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed.
– In exceptional cases consideration will be given to individual requests following a comprehensive risk assessment.
Should outbreaks occur in Maternity or Paediatric areas, restrictions will be reinstated and those departments should consult the Infection Prevention Team to discuss the necessary actions to take.
Safety measures that will remain in place
All staff and visitors must continue to wear a face mask in and around Trust buildings, continue to follow hand hygiene procedures and maintain social distancing where possible.
Staff must wear appropriate PPE in all clinical areas.
Staff must continue to follow the self-isolation guidance if they develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19.