Hospital restriction infuriates grandad

A DOTING grandfather has accused Cairns Hospital of “atrocious” misinformation in relation to visits during the coronavirus pandemic with staff reportedly telling him he could not see his daughter after she gave birth.

Westcourt resident Jim Simpson and his wife planned to visit their daughter last week but decided to check with the hospital first.

“We were going to take flowers to her, but when we called, we were told that only people who admitted her could visit her,” Mr Simpson said.

He said his wife and his sonin-law were the two who admitted his daughter to hospital.

“I think it’s atrocious when the advice they gave me on the phone was different to what they say on their website,” Mr Simpson said.

“My daughter was distressed because of the situation about adhering to the rules.

“When my wife and I wanted to visit, it would have just been us two. There’s a bit of misinformation out there.”

The Queensland Health website states that two people may visit a patient at the same time for two hours once per day from 12pm-8pm for Cairns Hospital and 12pm-6pm for rural hospitals.

It also states partners or support persons for patients admitted for pregnancy care are exempt from the two-hour limit.

A spokesman for Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Health Services said there were no time restrictions “if you are supporting someone who is pregnant, in labour or visiting after birth”.

“We know hospital visits play an important part for a patient’s recovery,” the spokesman said. “However, many in hospitals are already vulnerable to diseases and complications. In line with recommendations, we are asking the public to limit visits in hospitals and to consider other ways of keeping in touch, such as phone calls.”