Hospitals’ visitor restrictions

TWO Hospitals in Toowoomba have enforced new restrictions as COVID concerns rise within the state.

St Vincent’s Private Hospital Toowoomba and St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital have changed their visitor restrictions on advice from Queensland Health.

At the weekend, both hospitals announced that visitors travelling from one of the more than 80 restricted southeast suburbs will not be permitted to enter the facilities. These suburbs are the same as listed in the Queensland Government’s aged care directive, which bans visitors at care homes in Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim.

Some of these restrictions were eased at St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital yesterday.

People who have travelled from or reside in a Queensland COVID-19 restricted area will now be permitted to visit the hospital but will have to answer more questions at the door, according to hospital CEO Ray Fairweather.

Restricted access will still apply to those who visited a contract tracing alert site during the times listed.

“It’s an evolving situation – we had (the hospital) locked down pretty well over the weekend,” Mr Fairweather said.

“We are guided by Queensland Health for information relating to restrictions.”

St Andrew’s Toowoomba Hospital’s intensive care unit will remain closed to all visitors until further notice.

“We have some very sick patients in the ICU and it’s only deemed appropriate to close it to visitors for everyone’s protection,” Mr Fairweather said.

“We need to be responsible to make sure we provide a safe space for our patients and staff.

“Anyone who is concerned (about restricted access) should ring the hospital or ward area where their family member is located.”

A Darling Downs Health spokeswoman said hospitals and health services in the region could vary their own visiting restrictions depending on local needs.