Glasgow hospital visits suspended to combat risk of spreading coronavirus
HE NHS in Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has suspended visits at all hospitals to protect patients and staff from the deadly coronavirus.
The suspension comes into place immediately from last night, which comes following a jump in the number of confirmed cases in Scotland to 719.
There are 221 people with the bug in NHSGGC alone, and 22 people with the virus have died in Scotland so far.
The suspension applies to all visitors apart from a number of “essential” groups.
One birthing partner, during labour, who must remain within the maternity area at all times, can attend.
Also allowed to visit are parents of children who are inpatients or attending an outpatient appointment.
Parents should remain with their child at all times during the visit.
One person is allowed in to support someone with a mental health issue such as dementia, a learning disability or autism where not being present would cause the patient to be distressed.
One family member of those receiving end of life care can visit.
Those essential visits must be arranged through the nurse in charge of the ward, with only one visitor able to attend at any given time.
No children are permitted to visit.
The health board added that all visitors must use hand sanitiser when entering and leaving clinical areas and must not visit if they are experiencing a persistent cough, fever or flu like symptoms.
Essential visitors at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital will be greeted by volunteers with hand sanitiser.
Volunteers will also encourage those in the main atrium and food areas to practice social distancing measures.
Angela O’Neill, deputy nurse director of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “In these extraordinary circumstances, we have made the decision to suspend all visiting from our hospitals.
“We understand this will be difficult – visitors are normally warmly welcomed into our hospitals but our main priority now is to keep everyone safe.”
It comes as the health board
“works on a solution” after parents raised concern about a possible coronavirus infection risk at the hospital.
Children being treated for cancer are continuing to be treated in wards 4b or 6A of the adult hospital.
Parents raised fears that families visiting children and the young patients themselves are using the same lifts as others coming into the hospital, and requested a dedicated lift.
A spokeswoman said: “We have been working with our estates colleagues and the company responsible for lifts on a technical solution for this.
“Parents will be updated on progress.”