Hospital visits stopped amid rise in Covid cases
FAMILIES ARE URGED TO STAY AWAY
VISITS to Hull’s hospitals have been stopped with immediate effect due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has taken the difficult decision to protect patients and staff from the virus, which means there will be no visits to Hull Royal Infirmary or Castle Hill Hospital.
Due to soaring local infection rates, and in line with the Government’s national restrictions, visits will only be allowed in a small number of cases approved in advance by senior ward staff.
These “compassionate visits” will be accommodated for patients receiving end-of-life care, those with dementia or learning difficulties only. Birth partners will be allowed to accompany pregnant women during labour and for short, pre-booked slots before or after birth if required.
Co-care givers will also continue to be accommodated in neonatal care.
Chief executive Chris Long said: “In recent days, we have seen an increase in the number of people dying within 28 days of testing positive for the virus in our hospitals.
“The increase is deaths is a stark reflection of the rising infection rate in Hull, now the highest in the country.
“No one should be in any doubt that Covid-19 is a very real threat to life, so we must do all we can to protect the vulnerable patients in our care and the staff upon whom we would all rely if we needed admitting to hospital.
“We understand this will be upsetting for some; we are sorry for this and we will do all we can to enable families to keep in contact.
“This is not a step we take lightly, but it is a step we must take if we are to have any chance to protecting our staff and patients from the virus.”
All wards have been given access to ipads to help families to stay in touch with loved ones.
Support staff are being made available to help with these as part of the trust’s plan to extend “virtual visiting”, which is already in place and working well on Intensive Care Units.
The trust is now renewing its plea for people to only come to hospital if it is absolutely essential and to follow the rules by washing hands regularly, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distance.
Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 should stay at home and call 119 or visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus to arrange a test.